Bhubaneswar: Hindus around the world celebrate Vasant Panchami today which is a significant festival that marks the onset of spring and honours Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of wisdom, knowledge, and creativity.
Also known as Saraswati Puja, this festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the Magha month (January-February) and holds great importance in Hinduism. Many people consider this day auspicious for new beginnings, whether it’s starting a new project, learning a new skill, or embarking on an academic journey.
Vasant Panchami serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing knowledge and creativity, promoting a universal appreciation for wisdom and learning.
Schools across the State are decked up to celebrate the worship of Goddess of wisdom. Students in new dresses worshipped with devotion to appease the goddess. It is believed that one’s academic career would be brighter if Devi Saraswati blesses him / her.
Commercial establishments also considered the day auspicious and started the business with worshiping the Maa Saraswati.
On Vasant Panchami, devotees worship Goddess Saraswati and observe fasts to seek her blessings. This day is deemed particularly auspicious for initiating academic pursuits, enrolling in new courses, and pursuing arts and music education, as Maa Saraswati is revered as the goddess of knowledge, learning, music, and the arts.
Goddess Saraswati is often depicted as a benevolent deity with four arms, holding a rosary, a book, and a musical instrument. Clad in a white saree, symbolizing purity and education, she embodies the values of wisdom, creativity, and intellectual pursuitsPeople especially students light a diya with desi ghee, light several incense sticks, offer yellow flowers garland, with several delicacies and fruits amidst the recital of Maa Saraswati mantras to invoke the idol for success.
Saraswati Vandana
“Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala” “Ya Shubhra Vastravrita”
“Ya Veena Varadanda Manditakara” “Ya Shweta Padmasana”
“Ya Brahmachyuta Shankara Prabhritibhir” “Devaih Sada Vandita”
“Saa Maam Pattu Saraswati Bhagavati” “Nihshesha Jadyapaha”
