Basant Panchami, which marks the arrival of spring is here and is being celebrated on Tuesday throughout the country. It’s a day dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, and it is also known as Shri Panchami and Saraswati Panchami. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped for knowledge, music and arts and this is the day when little kids are introduced to alphabets in a ceremony known as ‘Akshar-Abhyasam’. It is a big day for schools and colleges in different parts of the country.

Basant Panchami or Saraswati Panchami is celebrated during ‘Shukla Paksha’ or the Full Moon fortnight in the month of Magha of the Hindu Calendar which usually comes in the months of January and February.

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The auspicious time for pooja is from 6.59 AM till 12.35 PM. While the Madhyahna moment is at 12.35 PM. 

Basant Panchami is celebrated as it was the day when Goddess Saraswati was born and so the day is also referred to as Saraswati Jayanti. Students seek her blessings on the day as she is the goddess of learning and arts.

The festival is of great significance for Hindus and is celebrated dominantly in West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar. Goddess Saraswati is depicted as a beautiful woman in a white Indian attire and seated on white lotus which symbolises truth and purity. She holds a ‘veena’ (classical musical instrument) and rides on a white swan also known as ‘hamsa’.

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White and yellow are the main colours of Basant Panchami. During the festival, students decorate the place where the idol is placed in white and yellow flowers. It is very popular across West Bengal and people enjoy decorating with different artworks and flowers. Communities also hold cultural programmes during Saraswati Pooja.