Vasant Panchami 1996

On the Panchami of the Shukla Paksha of Magha, in late winter as spring begins — the fifth day of the bright fortnight. For this year's date, see the date shown above.

Yellow stands for the spring the festival welcomes — the mustard fields in bloom and the ripening light of the season. People wear yellow, offer yellow flowers, and prepare yellow food in the goddess's honour.

It is Saraswati's day and is regarded as an abujh muhurta, an auspicious day needing no further reckoning. Children are traditionally given their first lesson in writing (vidya-arambha), and new learning and ventures are begun.

Saraswati, the goddess of learning, speech, music and the arts. Students and artists place their books and instruments before her, and worship her as the source of knowledge and its clear expression.