Vasant Panchami

Saraswati — Vac, the primordial Word, the first of the Tridevi. When Brahma needed to give shape to undifferentiated creation, Saraswati emerged from his mouth holding the veena. Her touch brought vibration, sound, meaning, language. Why she is worshipped on the first day of spring — when learning resumes, when children first write their letters (akshar-arambha), when the arts renew. Her iconography: white saree (purity), veena (harmony), swan (discrimination), books (scripture).

On Vasant Panchami, the god of love, Kamadeva, is said to have shot his flower arrows at Lord Shiva to awaken him from deep meditation, at the behest of the gods who wished for Shiva to marry Parvati. Enraged, Shiva opened his third eye and incinerated Kamadeva to ashes. Later, moved by the lamentations and penance of Kamadeva's wife, Rati, Lord Shiva granted Kamadeva's revival, though he would remain bodiless (Ananga) to all but Rati. This event marks the stirring of spring's passions and the eventual union of Shiva and Parvati.

The sacred thread ceremony (Upanayana) of the revered saint-poet Tulsidas was performed on Magha Shukla Panchami. This significant event in his early life took place in Ayodhya when he was seven years old, under the guidance of his guru, Narharidas. This ceremony marked the formal beginning of his education and spiritual journey, leading him to later compose the epic Ramcharitmanas.

In the Puri Jagannath Temple, special rituals are conducted on Vasant Panchami, including the 'Chacheri Besha' where Lord Jagannath is dressed in bright red hues. Additionally, the 'Benta' or 'Sikara' (hunting) ritual is performed, during which the representative deity Sri Dola Govinda proceeds to the Jagannath Ballava Math. After the Sandhya Dhupa, the new Panji (almanac) is worshipped at the Saraswati temple located inside the Shrimandir.

Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of preparations for the annual Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath in Puri. Priests perform purification rituals of wooden logs, which will later be used to construct the chariots for Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. This tradition is observed every year on the fifth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Magha.

On Vasant Panchami, the ritual of 'Baba's Tilak' is performed at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. This tradition, dedicated to Lord Shiva (Baba Vishwanath), has been carried out by the erstwhile Mahant family of the temple for over a century.

The shrine of the Sun God in Aurangabad district, Bihar, known as the Deo-Sun Shrine, was established on Basant Panchami. The day is celebrated to commemorate the founding of the shrine by King Aila of Allahabad and is also considered the birthday of the Sun-Deo God. On this occasion, the statues are washed, and old red clothes are replaced with new ones.

Vasant Panchami is associated with the narrative where Goddess Parvati sends Kamadeva, the god of love, to disturb Lord Shiva's deep meditation. This act was intended to awaken Shiva's affections and facilitate their union, which was crucial for the birth of Kartikeya, who would defeat the demon Tarakasura. This event highlights the interplay of divine will and the power of love in Hindu mythology.

According to the Muhurta Chintamani, the fifth lunar day (Shukla Panchami) is ruled by the Naga deities. This makes the day favorable for performing actions related to Nagas, including seeking wisdom and secret knowledge. Nagas are also associated with rebirth, medicine, purging poisons, surgery, and are regarded as guardians of treasure.

On Vasant Panchami, temples in Vrindavan, such as Radhavallabh and Banke Bihari, are adorned entirely in yellow, and the deities are dressed in magnificent yellow attire. This day marks the beginning of the Holi celebrations, with temples starting to offer dry color (gulal) to Lord Krishna. It is also celebrated as the appearance day of Sri Shyam Sundar Ji and is believed to be the day the ancient Deity of Sri Govind Dev ji was discovered. The Vasanta-rasa of Sri Krishna, as described in the Gita-govinda, is also associated with this season.