In Magh, Shukla Paksha, on the Panchami Tithi, the festival of Vasant Panchami is held (the fifth day during the waxing phase of the Lunar cycle in the Hindu month of Magh). Magh, one of the holiest Hindu months, is known for Basant Panchami or Vasant Panchami.
The arrival of spring coincides with this celebration of the Goddess Saraswati. Panchami Tithi (the fifth day) in the Magha month’s Shukla Paksha is the day the festival is held (waxing or the brighter phase of the Moon). Vasant Panchami occurs 40 days before Holi, the celebration of colours. As such, it represents the arrival of spring. On the festival of Saraswati Pooja, devotees honour Maa Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning.
Steps for performing Vasant Panchami puja at home
On Vasant Panchami, worship Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, and ask for her guidance and blessings. Here is the pooja vidhi for worshipping a brand-new statue or image of the Hindu goddess Saraswati. Before beginning the pooja, make sure everyone is dressed in yellow.
Starting with some meditation is a good idea
Repeat the mantra over and over again
Ya Kundendu-Tushara-Hara-Dhavala, Ya Shubhra-Vastravrita,
Ya Vina-Vara-Danda-Mandita-Kara, Ya Shveta-Padmasana॥
Ya Brahmachyuta-Shankara-Prabhritibhirdevaih Sada Vandita,
Sa Mam Patu Saraswati Bhagawati Nihshesha-Jadyapaha॥
Chant the dhyana mantra
When you’re done meditating, clasp your hands, fold your thumbs in, and chant the dhyana mantra:
Hari Om। Sahastrashirsha Purusha Sahastrakshah Sahastrapat।
Sa Bhumim Savvetaspprttvattyatishtha Ddashangulam॥
Agachchha Saraswati Devi Sthan Chatra Tirobhava।
Yavatpujam Karishyami Tattvam Sannidhau Bhava॥
Offer flowers to the deity
Give Mata Saraswati the gift of flowers from your two hands. While undergoing the operation, recite the mantra below:
Ramyam Sushobhana Divyam Sarva Saukhyakaram Shubham।
Asanam Cha Mayilattam Grihana Parameshwari॥
Om Idasanam Samarpayami Bhagawati Shri Saraswatyai Namah॥
Perform abhishekam by washing her feet with water
Sarvatirtha Samayuktam Sugandhi Nirmalam Jalam।
Achamyatam Mayadattam Grihana Parameshwari॥
Om Mukhe Achamaniyam Samarpayami Bhagawati Shri Saraswatyai Namah॥
Recite the mantra
When you’re finished with the Achamaniya, recite the following mantra over a bowl of water as you give it to a devotee for snanam:
Ganga Saraswati Reva Payoshni Narmada Jalaih।
Snapitoasi Maya Devi Tatha Shanti Kurushva Me॥
Om Snanartha Jalam Samarpayami Bhagawati Shri Saraswatyai Namah॥
Panchamrita Snana
Repeat the mantra over and over again
Payo Dadhi Ghritam Chaiva Madhu Cha Sharkarayutam।
Panchamritam Mayanitam Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Panchamritena Snapayami
Bhagawati Shri Saraswatyai Namah॥
Shuddhodaka Snana
Then, using clean water, do the Shuddhodaka Snana ceremony. Recite the following mantra:
Jnanamurte Bhadrakali Divyamurte Sureshwari।
Shuddha Snanam Grihanedam Narayani Namostute॥
Om Panchamritena Pashchachchhuddhodakena Snapayami
Bhagawati Shri Saraswatyai Namah॥
Gandha snanam
After that has been completed, you can move on to gandha snanam.
Provide Maa Saraswati with a fragrant bath, the ultimate Shuddhodaka bath, and a vastra as a token of your devotion.
Then, present the recipient with a variety of gifts, including jewellery, flowers, and incense. It is then time to go on to the Dhoopam and Deepam rites.
Offer the Naivedya
The Naivedya should thereafter be offered.
Following this, present the Achamaniyam to the Divine Mother. Don’t forget the paan and betel nuts. Do an Aarti ritual in honour of Mata Saraswati and present her with Dakshina. Afterwards, while holding flowers, execute the Pradakshina (circumambulation from left to right). The pooja is complete once the water is sprinkled using the flowers as a wand.
FAQs
How should we spend the holiday of Vasant Panchami?
Saraswati Puja should be performed on Vasant Panchami while the Panchami Tithi is in effect, though no particular time is required for this. If you are doing a Saraswati Puja, you should dress in yellow or mustard since it is thought to bring positive vibes and be a representation of energy, knowledge, and enlightenment.
How can we honour Maa Saraswati in our own homes?
The first step in the Saraswati Puja is to set up an asana and worship the Maa Saraswati statue there. Cover the floor underneath the asana with a brightly coloured fabric like yellow, orange, or white. Give Goddess Saraswati orange or yellow flowers. After that, you should chant the Saraswati Mata Aarti while lighting a diya.
What are some popular food items during Vasant Panchami?
Zarda rice is the most well-known and arguably crucial food associated with Vasant Panchami. This meal, made with basmati rice, almonds, saffron, and sugar, goes by the name meethe chawal. The rice takes on a kesari hue thanks to the use of yellow food colouring by some people.