Click through the slideshow to see photos of celebration of Saraswati Puja and Basant Panchami:
Saraswati Puja
Awaiting Spring(01 of12)
Open Image ModalAn Indian farmer Sukhwinder Singh holds a shovel as he walks through his mustard field in a village near Muktsar on January 2 , 2012, on the eve of Indian Festival 'Basant Panchami.' The Basant Panchmi Festival celebrates the onset of spring, marking the beginning of a new life as yellow mustard flowers start to bloom. AFP PHOTO /NARINDER NANU (credit:Getty)
Flying Kites During The Festival(02 of12)
Open Image ModalIndian school girls, dressed in Punjabi traditional folk Giddha outfits, smile as they fly kites on the eve of Basant Panchami, the Festival of Spring in Amritsar. Kite-flying is the major and most colourful event of the festival which is characterised by the colour yellow which dominates the festival. AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU (credit:Getty)
Dancing With Joy(03 of12)
Open Image ModalIndian school girls, dressed with Punjabi traditional folk Giddha outfits, dance on the eve of Basant Panchami, the festival of spring in Amritsar. Kite-flying is the major and most colourful event of the festival which is characterised by the colour yellow which dominates the festival. AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU (credit:Getty)
Flying Kites(04 of12)
Open Image ModalIndian school girls, dressed with Punjabi traditional folk Giddha outfits, smile as they fly kites on the eve of Basant Panchami, the festival of spring in Amritsar. Kite-flying is the major and most colourful event of the festival which is characterised by the colour yellow which dominates the festival. AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU (credit:Getty)
Flying Kites(05 of12)
Open Image ModalIndian school girls, dressed with Punjabi traditional folk Giddha outfits, smile as they fly kites on the eve of Basant Panchami, the festival of spring in Amritsar. Kite-flying is the major and most colourful event of the festival which is characterised by the colour yellow which dominates the festival. AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU (credit:Getty)
Looking Through A Sunflower(06 of12)
Open Image ModalAn Indian boy looks on as he holds a sunflower drawing while celebrating on the eve of 'Basant Panchami,' festival of spring, at K for Kids Pre-School in Ahmedabad. 'Yellow' colour dominates the festival. AFP PHOTO / Sam PANTHAKY (credit:Getty)
Festive With Flowers(07 of12)
Open Image ModalAn Indian girl looks on while celebrating on the eve of 'Basant Panchami,' Festival of Spring, at K for Kids Pre-School in Ahmedabad. 'Yellow' colour dominates the festival. AFP PHOTO / Sam PANTHAKY (credit:Getty)
Dressed As Goddess Saraswati(08 of12)
Open Image ModalAn Indian school girl dressed as Hindu Goddess 'Mata Saraswati' celebrates on the eve of Basant Panchami, the Festival of Spring, in Amritsar. The festival, which is dominated by the colour yellow, is celebrated by appeasing Goddess Saraswati as she symbolises the constant flow of wisdom and also represents the blossoming of nature. AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU (credit:Getty)
Bathing In Holy Waters(09 of12)
Open Image ModalAn Indian Sikh devotee bathes at the Sikh Shrine Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib, some 7kms west of Amritsar, on February 8, 2011, on the occasion of Basant Panchami. Basant Panchami is celebrated at the end of winter to welcome spring. AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU (credit:Getty)
Paying Respects(10 of12)
Open Image ModalIndian Sikh devotees pay their respects at the Sikh Shrine Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib, some 7kms west of Amritsar on the occasion of Basant Panchami. Basant Panchami is celebrated at the end of winter to welcome spring. AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU (credit:Getty)
Painting Stone Images of Saraswati(11 of12)
Open Image ModalIndian artist Partapi Devi (L) and her sons paint murtis of Hindu goddess Mata Saraswati at a roadside in Amritsar ahead of Basant Panchami. The festival, which is dominated by the colour yellow, is celebrated by appeasing Goddess Saraswati as she symbolises the constant flow of wisdom and also represents the blossoming of nature. AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU (credit:Getty)
Goddess Saraswati(12 of12)
Open Image ModalSaraswati Puja is celebrated on Jan. 28, 2012 by Hindus all over the world. This festival glorifies the Hindu goddess Saraswati, patron of knowledge, music and the arts. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the Hindu lunar month of Magh. This celebration coincides with the festival of Basant Panchami, which signifies the end of the winter season, and the beginning of spring. Saraswati Puja is celebrated with greater vigor in eastern India, whereas Basant Panchami is celebrated with great zest in north India.
[Scroll down for lyrics and translation of prayers to goddess Saraswati.]
Yellow is the predominant color of Basant Panchami as flowers bloom and the harvest ripens. Men and women also wear yellow clothing on this day, making it a very colorful day. A kite festival is held each year to welcome the spring. Young boys and girls participate enthusiastically, making the sky a colorful sight.
Hindus believe that Saraswati is the goddess of learning. She is considered to be the essence of purity and posseses the knowledge of the Vedas (Hindu sacred texts). Thus, Saraswati Puja is an especially joyous day for students of all disciplines. On this day learning is suspended as many schools and colleges in India put together special worship ceremonies to honor goddess Saraswati.
One of the most famous prayers recited to goddess Saraswati on the occasion of Saraswai Puja is the Saraswati Vandana (invocation). Below are the words of the mantra in Sanskrit and a translation:
Ya Kundendu Tushaara Haara Dhavalaa; Ya Shubhra Vastraavrita;
Ya Veena Vara Danda Manditakara; Ya Shveta Padmaasana
Ya Brahma Achyutaha Shankara Prabrithibhih; Devai Sadaa Poojitha;
Saa Maam Paatu Saraswathi Bhagavati; Nishyesha Jyaadyaapaha
Translation: Oh Goddess Saraswati, who is as fair as a jasmine flower, the moon or a snow flake, who is dressed in white and whose hands are adorned by the veena (musical instrument), who is seated in a white lotus, to whom Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara pray, please protect us.
Click through the slideshow to listen to famous prayers dedicated to goddess Saraswati -- Saraswati Vandana (Invocation), Beej Mantra and Gayatri Mantra. Lyrics and translation are provided.
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