Vasant Panchami, a North Indian celebration that was celebrated on Feb. 5 this year, marks the beginning of winter’s end and the coming of spring. The color yellow is associated with this festival because of the blooming of the mustard crop, whose yellow color symbolizes knowledge, light, energy, prosperity and peace. This season is considered an auspicious time to begin new ventures, like getting married, buying a house or starting a job.
Vasant Panchami is also celebrated as the birthday of the Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning and art. It also commemorates the time Saraswati blessed the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa, and many devotees pray to the goddess in hopes that they, too, can be bestowed with wisdom and intelligence.
Many honor the Goddess Saraswati by rising early and dressing in yellow (which is believed to be her favorite color), enjoying yellow sweets and snacks and performing puja to her deity. Many students also pray to Saraswati for success in their studies because she is the goddess of learning and wisdom.
The Office of Spiritual and Religious Life offers all celebrating Vasant Panchami a bright and wisdom-filled spring.
Sources:
Syama Allard, “5 thing to know about Vasant Panchami,” Hindu American Foundation,
February 16, 2021, 5-things-to-know-about-vasant-panchami.
“Resilience: Multifaith Calendar 2022.” Multifaith Action Society. 2022.
