As 'Diwali' - the festival of light - is to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, and 'Navaratri' is to Durga, goddess of power and valor, Vasant Panchami is to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts.
Hindus regard Vasant Panchami as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati. 'Vasant' comes from the word 'spring' as this festival heralds the beginning of springtime, and 'Panchami' from the 5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha, when it is observed. Hindus celebrate Vasant Panchami with great fervor in temples, homes and even schools and colleges as students across India utter the 'Saraswati Mantra' prayer before the idol of the goddess of knowledge and arts. Read More...
As India celebrates her 63rd Republic Day on January 26, 2012, find out what famous scholars, historians and authors from around the world have to say about this country. Presenting top 30 quotations from Will Durant, Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Max Mueller, Romain Rolland, et al, about India and its uniqueness. 
From ancient times, Hindus have come to believe that the fortnightly cycle of the moon exerts a great influence on the human anatomy just as it affects the water bodies on earth resulting in tides and ebbs. So the Hindu scriptures recommend keeping a fast or taking light food on full moon and new moon days as it is said to reduce the acidic content in our system, slow down the metabolic rates, increase endurance.