VASANT PANCHAMI

Submitted To :- Navneet Madam

Submitted by :- Tajinder Singh Class : 6 - C

maho arnah sarasvati prachetayati ketuna| dhiyo vishvaa viraajati || Vast is the ocean of Divine
Knowledge, That illuminates the Universe, And brightens every pious thought Rigveda 1.3.12

VASANT PANCHAMI WHEN IS IT CELEBRATED?

In the fifth day (PANCHAMI) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha (January-February) of the Hindu Calendar VASANT = Spring, and Yellow

VASANT PANCHAMI marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring in most parts of India and neighboring countries.

VASANT PANCHAMI WHO DO WE WORSHIP?

On this day, Brahma-ji created Devi Saraswati to remove ignorance and to make human beings wise. She was given four hands for mind, intellect, ego and alertness. Therefore, we worship Mother Saraswati the Devi of wisdom, arts, education, discrimination Children are taught their first letters We also worship Surya (Sun) and Ma Ganga (Ganges River) especially in northern India to thank them for providing life giving energy and water

WHAT DOES MA SARASWATI REPRESENT?

OBJECT SIGNIFICANCE WHITE SWAN White represents purity (sattva-guna). Swan represents viveka, or the ability to make right choices, and discriminate good from evil. It also represents the Soul. Represents speech, music, arts, beauty. With speech or language, we cannot learn anything. Represent the power and energy of letters (biijaakshara), and also faith and devotion Four Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda) the source of all knowledge and wisdom. Represent Creation. And also the ability to remain pure in this world full of evil. Lord Shiva burned Kamadeva on this day.

VEENA (Stringed instrument) being played by her JAPAMALA: Rosary of Beads in Her hand

VEDAS: Revealed Hindu scriptures in Her hand Lotus flowers (Padma, Pankaj, Kamal)

VASANT PANCHAMIHISTORICAL FACTS

Lord Krishna worshipped Mother Saraswati this day and became a master of Shodashakala (16 arts) Dramas of Kalidasa and other famous dramatists were played for audiences this day Musicians, poets, dancers, artists organized celebrations and functions on this day to worship Devi Saraswati Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya innaugarated Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya at Varanasi

VASANT PANCHAMIHOW IS IT CELEBRATED -1

Children are taught their first letters (especially in Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Bihar, Kerala etc). They are given a pen or a chalk to write the first letter. Big celebrations are held in Shantiniketan (a University in West Bengal) Books are placed before murtis of Devi Saraswati for her blessings They start with worshipping Saraswati, burning incense, applying tilak of sandalwood paste Brahmins are fed and honored and homage paid to ancestors (Pitr-tarpana)

VASANT PANCHAMI HOW IS IT CELEBRATED - 2

People wear yellow clothes They make yellow garlands and offer it to Devi-Devatas and to guests Sweet-meats (deserts) are made yellow by adding saffron YELLOW REPRESENTS: Spirituality, Prosperity, Energy. Many of our Deities wear yellow clothes (pitamambara). Hindu Sadhus also wear saffron (yellow-orange) robes. In northern India, miles and miles of farmlands turn yellow from Mustard blooms

VASANT PANCHAMI HOW IS IT CELEBRATED -3

In northern India and Pakistan, Kite Flying contests are held In memory of Hakikat Rai Puri of Sialkot People eat saffronrice, suuji-halwa with saffron in it, have musical functions, wear marigold garlands