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.
Om Saraswati Mahabhagey, Vidye Kamala Lochaney |
Viswarupey Vishalakshmi, Vidyam Dehi Namohastutey ||
Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey, Kuchayuga Shobhita, Mukta Haarey |
Vina Ranjita, Pustaka Hastey, Bhagavati Bharati Devi Namohastutey ||
Good article on Vasant Pachami.It would have been better if Saraswati mantra’s meaning given.Mantras are not allowed anywhere as meaning are not specifically explained. If same mantras are sung by foreign artists,it will give more preference.
Click here to read the English translation of Saraswati Vandana
Thanks for sending all information about hinduism.I like this so much.May God bless u.
Really nice article. Informative, to-the-point and interesting. I’ve always been fascinated by the grandeur with which Bengali festivals are celebrated, and the same goes for Saraswati Puja (although I’m not too sure if we can call it a ‘Bengali’ festival). Here’s another post I really liked–> http://www.ifood.tv/network/saraswati_puja (more food related though).
Looking forward to reading more of your write-ups!
- A non-Bong with a fascination for everything Bong
Can u pl upload the Saraswati vandana Shloka sung by Lata Mangeshkar “Ya kundendu tushar haar……….” on the occasion?
Thnaks
Thank you very much. I have learnt many things about Hinduism I didn’t know before.
Thank you! Excellent infomation just in time!