Vasant Panchami 2020 in India

Is Vasant Panchami a Public Holiday?

Vasant Panchami is regarded as an optional public holiday for the general population in India and also known as Basant Panchami. This means, government offices, colleges, schools, universities, and several other academic institutions remain closed on this day.

Also, post offices and banks can optionally remain closed on the day of Vasant Panchami. However, private sector offices and businesses remain open and function on a regular basis. Also, public transport facilities may operate during a restricted time period on this day.

Basant Panchami History: Astrological Significance

Basant Panchami history holds relevant significance and commemorates the beginning of its observance. Basant Panchami falls on the Panchami tithi during Shukla Paksha in the month of Magha. This day marks the beginning of the Spring, and it is on this day itself that the ritual of Saraswati Puja is performed with great fervour and devotion. In several parts of the country, Lord Kamdev and Goddess Rati are also venerated by carrying out the Shodashopachara Puja.

Maa Saraswati is regarded as the Goddess of intellect, knowledge, and wisdom. The color Yellow is popularly worn, and yellow-colored dishes are prepared. Even the idols of Maa Saraswati and Lord Vishnu are covered in yellow-colored clothes. The customary ritual of Vidyarambh ceremony (the act of gaining knowledge and education) is also carried out on the day of Basant Panchami.

Vasant Panchami Puja Rituals

• Place the idols of Maa Saraswati and Lord Vishnu side by side on a platform, stool or podium covered with a yellow-colored cloth.
• Offer yellow-colored clothes to the deities.
• Offer Marigold or Jasmine flowers to the deities.
• Apply a Sandalwood or Chandan Tika on the deities and light incense sticks.
• Light a diya with Ghee and Jasmine perfume and light it.

Shodashopchar Puja Sankalp

ॐ विष्णुः विष्णुः विष्णुः, अद्य ब्रह्मणो वयसः परार्धे श्रीश्वेतवाराहकल्पे जम्बूद्वीपे भारतवर्षे,
अमुकनामसंवत्सरे माघशुक्लपञ्चम्याम् अमुकवासरे अमुकगोत्रः अमुकनामाहं सकलपाप - क्षयपूर्वक - श्रुति -

स्मृत्युक्ताखिल - पुण्यफलोपलब्धये सौभाग्य - सुस्वास्थ्यलाभाय अविहित - काम - रति - प्रवृत्तिरोधाय मम
पत्यौ/पत्न्यां आजीवन - नवनवानुरागाय रति - कामदम्पती षोडशोपचारैः पूजयिष्ये।

oṃ viṣṇuḥ viṣṇuḥ viṣṇuḥ, adya brahmaṇo vayasaḥ parārdhe śrīśvetavārāhakalpe jambūdvīpe bhāratavarṣe,
amukanāmasaṃvatsare māghaśuklapañcamyām amukavāsare amukagotraḥ amukanāmāhaṃ sakalapāpa - kṣayapūrvaka - śruti -

smṛtyuktākhila - puṇyaphalopalabdhaye saubhāgya - susvāsthyalābhāya avihita - kāma - rati - pravṛttirodhāya mama
patyau/patnyāṃ ājīvana - navanavānurāgāya rati - kāmadampatī ṣoḍaśopacāraiḥ pūjayiṣye।

It is said that if a married couple venerates Rati-Kamdev with devotion after performing the Shodashopachara Puja, their marital life becomes blessed.

Rati-Kamdev Dhyan

ॐ वारणे मदनं बाण - पाशांकुशशरासनान्। धारयन्तं जपारक्तं ध्यायेद्रक्त - विभूषणम्।।
सव्येन पतिमाश्लिष्य वामेनोत्पल - धारिणीम्। पाणिना रमणांकस्थां रतिं सम्यग् विचिन्तयेत्।।

oṃ vāraṇe madanaṃ bāṇa - pāśāṃkuśaśarāsanān। dhārayantaṃ japāraktaṃ dhyāyedrakta - vibhūṣaṇam।।
savyena patimāśliṣya vāmenotpala - dhāriṇīm। pāṇinā ramaṇāṃkasthāṃ ratiṃ samyag vicintayet।।

Saraswati Puja

Maa Saraswati is venerated as well on this occasion. We have mentioned the puja rituals and its significance below.

Sri Panchami

Lord Vishnu, the Preserver and Maa Lakshmi, known as the Goddess of Richness and Wealth, are worshipped on the day of Vasant Panchami by businessmen. Such natives are recommended to recite the Sri Sukta with devotion to attain the blessings.

Saraswati Puja on Basant Panchami

Maa Saraswati is the divine epitome of creativity, knowledge and energy. On the auspicious occasion of Vasant Panchami, Saraswati Puja is conducted and carried out with proper rituals. In several parts of the country, this is considered an auspicious day to initiate academic activities with children, also known as Vidyarambh Ceremony.

On this day, children are given pen and paper as a part of the ritual. On this day, people offer yellow flowers, sweets and clothes to the Goddess. Several schools, colleges and offices conduct Saraswati Puja and distribute the Prasad.

Saraswati Puja Rituals

• Wake up early on the day of Vasant Panchami, clean the premises as well as the area of worship.
• Apply a paste of Turmeric and Neem on your body before taking a bath.
• After that, take a bath and wear clean clothes. You can wear yellow-colored clothes on this occasion.
• Now, clean the place of worship or altar and establish the idol of Maa Saraswati on a stool or high platform after covering it with a clean, white or yellow-colored cloth.
• Place the idol of Lord Ganesha along the idol of Maa Saraswati.
• You can also place musical instruments and study items such as books, pens, pencils etc.
• Place turmeric, kumkum, Akshat, yellow-colored flowers on a plate and worship the deities.
• Light a diya and incense stick and recite the Saraswati Aarti, Saraswati Stotra and Mantra.
• Distribute the Prasad once the puja is completed.

Basant Panchami and the Colour Yellow

From ancient times, the color Yellow has been associated with the Basant Panchami festival. From wearing Yellow to eating yellow-colored dishes, this day is drowned with this spring-like color. This color symbolizes the epitome of Vaishnavism and possesses Sattvic undertones.

In ancient mythology, this color is dear to Lord Vishnu, which is why we see him adorning this color. According to Vastu Shastra, the color Yellow is known to cure some of the critical health-related diseases such as jaundice, cold, liver-related problems, gastric issues, cough and much more.

Worshipping Lord Jupiter on Vasant Panchami

According to Vedic Astrology, the planet Jupiter symbolizes the auspicious festival of Basant Panchmi. Yellow represents the planet Jupiter or Guru, which is entitled as the mentor of the Navagrahas. Hence, it is believed that worshipping the planet Jupiter on the day of Vasant Panchami helps to incur fruitful results.

In astrology, if Jupiter is positioned unfavourably in a kundli, then the native experiences a monotonous life, excessive expenses and a quarrelsome environment. Therefore, venerating Lord Vishnu and Maa Saraswati on the day of Vasant Panchami with a devoted heart helps to appease Jupiter and gain his blessings.

Vasant Panchami Celebrations in India

Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of the Spring season and end of Winter season. Maa Saraswati is highly venerated on this occasion with great devotion. People are seen adorning Yellow-colored clothes and prepare yellow-colored dishes. As we have already discussed above, the color Yellow holds high significance on this day as it symbolizes vibrancy and brilliance in life. Deities are offered yellow colored clothes, sweets, foods, Bhog, and much more. A famous delicacy called Kesar Halwa is prepared on this day.

Crops are filled with blooming mustard flowers, which makes up for a beautiful sight altogether. Students place study materials such as pens, pencils and books at the feet of Maa Saraswati and seek her blessings before beginning their education. In Haryana and Punjab, people fly kites on this day and prepare lip-smacking delicacies such as Meethe Chawal and Sarso Ka Saag and Makki Di Roti.

For Bengalis, this day holds great significance. Maa Saraswati is venerated by children, who seek knowledge and wisdom for their budding minds. Schools and colleges celebrate this occasion by organizing best-dressed competitions, fairs and so on. People wear yellow-colored clothes such Yellow kurtas and Yellow Saris and eat Khichdi. In several parts of Odisha, musicians and singers venerate the Goddess by offering her Pushpanjali.

Vasant Panchami Observances

FAQs

From the above information, it is evident that the Vasant Panchami 2020 in India is celebrated on Wednesday, 29 January with great devotion and enthusiasm.

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