The festive season has returned once again. After Lohri and Makar Sankranti, the preparations for the festival of Basant Panchmi has begun. Basant Panchami is a well-known festival of Hindu which marks the beginning of Basant Ritu and also known as spring season which also marks the birthday of Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. This day is also known as Vivah Panchmi and is celebrated with full joy and enthusiasm by Hindus.
Basant Panchami falls on the fifth day of the spring season in the Hindu month of Magh. The day is considered as the most auspicious day which needs no shubh muhurat. From Basant Panchami, good days started. The day is one of the most suitable days to kick start your new career, Grah Pravesh to your new house, performing naamkaran, shadi rituals or any other auspicious work. Many children learn their first lesson on this day and the significant ritual is also known as Akshar Abhyasam. This day is also known to perform weddings as this day is also known as Vivah Panchmi. The day also marks the beginning of falgun maah or after 40 days from Basant Panchami, The festival of colours “Holi” falls.
On this day, students offer yellow flowers to Goddess Saraswati and put a yellow tilak on their forehead. Wearing yellow clothes is also considered auspicious to please Goddess of wisdom and knowledge, Maa Saraswati Ji. People offer bhog of yellow colour like meethe chawal to seek goddess blessings. One should bow his head in front of Maa Saraswati and ask for her kind blessings to bless him with eternal knowledge removing all the darkness from the mind.
Vivah Panchami or Vasant Panchami is an auspicious day, which is celebrated the divine marriage of the Prince of Ayodhya- Lord Sri Rama and Princess of Janakpur- Goddess Sita. Vivah Panchami is observed on the fifth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Margashira as per the Indian calendar. This auspicious festival is mostly celebrated in the Northern part of India, Mithila, and Nepal.
According to Ramayana, King of Mithilanchal (Janakpur) were called Janak arranged a “Swayamver” ceremony for his daughter Sita to choose a suitable groom for herself. The conditions of the Swayamver ceremony was one who lifts the Shiva Dhanush (The bow of Lord Shiva) and strings it, to be able to marry Sita. King Janak invited many kings and princes of various kingdoms. Many kings tried to lift the Dhanush but could not able to move a little bit. Then the Prince of Ayodhya, Sri Rama lifted this heavy gigantic bow and tried to strings it. In the process, Lord Ram broke the Shiva Dhanush. The breathless audience began clapping and cheering and flower garland came from heaven and Princess of Janakpur- Sita was married to Lord Ram.
It is to be said that, “Basant Panchmi is considered as one of the most auspicious days and many couples want to tie nuptial knot on this day.” Hence, A large number of marriages are solemnized on this day.