Vasant Panchami (also
called spring festival)
is celebrated by Hindus all over the world with great
enthusiasm. This festival is dedicated to Saraswati
devi the Goddess of learning as in the case
of Deepavali is dedicated to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth,
and Navaratri Durga is dedicated to Kali, goddess
of strength and power. It is believed that goddess
Saraswati endows human beings with the powers
of speech, wisdom and learning. The Vasant
Panchami day is also known as Saraswati
Day and it is believed that this day is Saraswati’s
birthday. It falls on 5th day of the bright
fortnight of the lunar month of Magh (January-February)
and all hindu temples are having special poojas on
this day.
The most popular image of Goddess Saraswati is the
seating posture on a white Lotus clad in a spotless
white apparel with'a necklace of white beads, decked
with white flowers and holding the Vina. She is sometimes
described to have four hands holding Vina, aksamala
(rosary) and Pushtaka (book). Floral offerings are
made in a big way. Books an study materials are placed
before Goddess. In the evening after the Puja is over,
the idol is immersed in the sea with serenity unlike
other major festivals.
