By Shreya Jain
Festivals are and have always been our ways to mark new beginnings. Be it for changes in weather or harvesting. Since olden times, our culture has seen festivals of Baishakhi (Harvest festival in April), Onam (Harvest Festival in September), Sharad Poornima (indication of coming of colder months) and Basant Panchami, which marks the end of the cold weather and upcoming spring.
Although all festivals give us something to cherish and passion for embarking new journeys, Basant Panchami embodies this literally! It marks the blossoming of flowers and new leaves after the cold weather was harsh to them. People in all over the northern India celebrate the upcoming spring joyfully. This year this festival was celebrated on February 5th.
People pray to Goddess Saraswati, who is the goddess of knowledge and seek her blessings for education and wisdom. There are numerous celebrations and Pujas which are organised locally. People prefer to wear yellow clothes, which is the colour of brightly shinning sun and blooming flowers. It is also known as Saraswati Puja in some parts of the country like West Bengal.
The beloved festival of colours, Holi is also celebrated a few days after.
Wishing all a very prosperous and joyous Basant Panchami!
