Vasant Panchami 2019

The festival of Vasant Panchami 2019 falls on February 10 in India, Australia, and New Zealand.  The festival is also known as Saraswati Puja.  The word “vasant” means spring. Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season and the coming of the festival of Holi.

Since Indian festivals are based on the lunar calendar, Vasant Panchami 2019 is on February 9 in North and South America, Europe and Africa.

GODDESS SARASWATI

Saraswati Devi is the goddess of wisdom, learning, speech, and music. She is shown holding her instrument the veena in two hands, a book in another, and a mala (for mantra repetition) in the fourth hand.  Saraswati (phonetically SUH-russ-vuh-tee) wears a white sari and is typically seated on a lotus or a swan. Both are symbols of purity. Saraswati is alternately spelled as Sarasvati or Saraswathi (in South India).

Saraswati
Saraswati is worshipped on Vasant Panchami 2019

Students perform a puja (ceremonial worship) to Saraswati and ask her to bless their books and other school supplies, so that they perform well in studies and are blessed with her qualities.  Because books are considered as sacred objects, so they are never put on the floor.  They offer yellow flowers to Saraswati during the puja.  Many people consider Vasant Panchami to be Saraswati’s birthday.

Vasant Panchami is held during the Vedic month of Magh on the fifth day of the waxing Moon.  Panchami refers to the 5th phase of the Moon. It is also called Basant Panchami.  In Vedic astrology, the full moon falls in the nakshatra or star of Magha in Leo during the month of Magh.

CELEBRATING VASANT PANCHAMI 2019

Women and men typically wear the color yellow on Vasant Panchami. Yellow is a symbol of both spring and newness.  The sweet kesar halva is traditionally offered on Vasant Panchami. It is made from flour, sugar, ghee, nuts, saffron, milk, and cardamom. The kesar (saffron) imbues this tasty dish with a yellowish hue.

Saraswati has vach siddhi (or vak siddhi) – the gift of perfection in speech.  She reminds us to honor the 4 gates of speech before we verbalize our thoughts: 1) Is it true? 2) Is it kind? 3) Is it necessary? 4) Is it the right time?

If you are a student or a seeker of the truth or a lover of ancient traditions,  you may wish to honor Saraswati as we celebrate Vasant Panchami 2019.  You may set up an altar to Saraswati facing East or North, offer yellow flowers, incense, a candle or an oil lamp, and sweets (without eggs or cooked honey).  Additionally, you may also chant mantras dedicated to Saraswati.  You can also read more about her.

Vasant Panchami also honors Kamadeva, the Hindu god of love, his wife Rati, and his friend Vasant.  People also perform ceremonies to honor nature, which provides the crops to maintain life and offers a means of financial support for many in India.

KAMADEVA

In Vedic astrology, we have a configuration known as a Saraswati yoga. It involves placements of Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury in specific houses and being relatively strong. Astrologers say that this combination bestows the individual owner of this chart with the qualities of Saraswati. It gives the person gifts in writing, speaking, and classic subjects.

Vasant Panchami 2019 is a notable holiday in India.  Then, forty days following Vasant Panchami is the festival of Holi. Shubh Vasant Panchami 2019! May Saraswati grace your lips on this days and all days.