Basant Panchami is a lively and vibrant festival that marks the arrival of spring and the veneration of the Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, wisdom, music, and arts. The festival is celebrated across various regions of India and is known for its colourful customs, significance, and connection to both spiritual and seasonal transitions. Also, referred to as Saraswati Puja, Basant Panchami celebrates the Goddess’s association with learning and creativity and heralds the arrival of the spring season.
Observed on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month Magha, typically in late January or early February, Basant Panchami is a festival that signifies the beginning of spring, although it falls 40 days before the official start of the season. This 40-day transition is rooted in traditional beliefs, which hold that the changing seasons take around 40 days to fully unfold. As such, the celebration serves as an early greeting to spring, often referred to as the “King of all Seasons,” with its vibrancy, new life, and energy.
Yellow colour plays an important role during Basant Panchami. It is associated with the Goddess Saraswati, whose presence is symbolised by the colour as well as her attire. Yellow represents creativity, knowledge, and the ripening mustard fields, which are in bloom at this time of year. People wear yellow clothing to participate in the celebration, embracing the spirit of renewal and vibrancy that the colour represents.
In northern India, where the weather is still cold, and in central and western regions, where the spring-like weather begins to take hold, the festival marks a gradual transition toward the full bloom of spring. This change in the atmosphere, along with the blossoming mustard flowers, signifies the shift from winter’s dormancy to the energetic growth of spring.
In some parts of India, Basant Panchami is also associated with Kamadeva, the Hindu god of love, and his consort, Rati. According to legend, Kamadev played a role in awakening Lord Shiva from his deep meditation to help Parvati win his affection. Basant Panchami celebrates the awakening of the earth’s desires and the renewal of life.
An important mythological story tied to Basant Panchami is the tale of Lord Shiva. When the sages sought to wake Shiva from his meditation, they enlisted Kamadev, the god of love, to stir Shiva’s desires. However, when Kamadev shot his flower arrows at Shiva, God’s third eye opened, unleashing a fireball that reduced Kamadeva to ashes in Umananda Islet in the centre of River Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Assam. Kamadev returned to life on the day of Basant Panchami after Shiva married Parvati. That is why Kamadeva, the god of love and desire, is worshipped along with his wife Rati on this day.
On Basant Panchami, it is a common practice for families to encourage children to write their first words with their fingers, symbolising a new beginning in education. The day also brings people together to study or engage in musical activities, as these pursuits are considered auspicious on this day.
Flying kites is another fun and popular tradition linked to the festival, especially in northern and western India, where the skies are filled with colourful kites on this auspicious day.
Historically, the festival has also been important in Sikh culture. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire, promoted Basant Panchami as a day of social gatherings, particularly in Gurdwaras. The day also holds significance for Sikhs, as it is a time to remember the martyrdom of Haqiqat Rai, a young boy executed for refusing to convert to Islam in 1741. His sacrifice is honoured on this day, adding a layer of historical remembrance to the celebration.
Basant Panchami is not limited to India alone. It is also celebrated in Nepal, Bali, Indonesia and other countries with a large Hindu diaspora.