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Chinmaya Mission- Bal Vihar 10 February 2008. Vasant Panchami. 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.
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Chinmaya Mission- Bal Vihar 10 February 2008 VasantPanchami
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
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. VasantPanchami – When is it celebrated?
VasantPanchami – 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
VASANT PANCHAMI- HISTORICAL 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 • PanditMadan Mohan MalviyainnaugaratedKashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya at Varanasi
VASANT PANCHAMI-How 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 HakikatRaiPuri of Sialkot • People eat saffron-rice, suuji-halwa with saffron in it, have musical functions, wear marigold garlands