Hindu Festivals

The festival of Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the 5th day of Krishna Paksh in the month of Magh.

This day is considered as Annbhuj Muhurth. On this day, marriages and auspicious ceremonies can be performed without reference to the Panchaang (auspicious Hindu calendar).

On this day, Saraswati Devi is worshipped. This day is of special significance for the students. They place their books at the feet of Devi seeking wisdom and blessings.

Saraswati Devi puja is performed by offering roli, moli, yellow flowers, gulal, fruits, yellow-coloured sweets (sohanpapdi sweet made with besan).

Shri Krishna is considered Adi Devtaa of this festival, so the festival is celebrated with great fervour in Vrindavan.
  
People celebrate Basant Panchami by wearing clothes in various shades of yellow colour. This is in keeping with the prevalent colour of nature at this time when yellow sarson flowers and marigold are in bloom.

In the puja room the deities are dressed in yellow colour.

Yellow—coloured sweet rice is made at home.

Deepak is lit.

Aarti of Saraswati Mata is performed.

Aarti karu Saraswati Matu……
Yakundendu tushar haar dhavala……………….

Puja rituals:

  • The idol is in white, symbolizing purity. The sari of the Deity is white or yellow dyed in the   natural dye made from "Shiuli" flowers.
  • The place where the idol is kept for the puja is decorated with Rangoli and the design of   a fish is considered auspicious.
  • A flat low stool made of wood is covered with yellow cloth and the idol is placed on it,   facing East.
  • Then, the face of the idol remains covered till the priest begins chanting the mantras at   the commencement of the puja.
  • A green coconut is placed on an earthen pot with a red checked cotton cloth called "Gamocha".
  • The actual puja flowers are used but the most significant is the Palash or flame of the   forest and marigold flowers.
  • Students place their books and pen in front of the goddess seeking blessings.
  • The offerings to the goddess are mainly fruits--most significant are Berries from the wild   plum tree. Other fruits include tapioca. Sweets must include puffed rice, jaggery and   yogurt.
  • Family members bathe early and dress in yellow attire and assemble in front of the   Goddess.
  • The earthen pot is tied with a string which will be untied only on the next day by the   priest before Bisarjan or the immersion ceremony.
  • A havanis done by the priest using special wood, ghee, joss sticks and incense.There   absence of a burnt smell signifies the success of the puja. A diya or lamp is also kept lit   along with the prasad.
  • A handful of flowers particularly marigolds and flame of the forest is given to each   devotee to offer to the goddess as "pushpanjali". The offering is done in batches of   devotees who repeat mantras after the priest.
  • Arati is performed by the priest in the morning and again in the evening. This is done   while chanting Sanskrit slokas and accompanied by the blowing of conch shells and the   beating of drums.
  • The lit lamp used during the Arati is passed around for each devotee to warm his/ her   hand and touch their heads.
  • Nobody touches books on that day. This signifies that the goddess is blessing the books   placed in front of her.

Other rituals:

    * All devotees take vegetarian food this day to remain pure.

    * The smallest girl of the family has to wear a yellow coloured saree as a custom. This ritual is usually observed in Bengal.

    * An infant is asked to write for the first time, the alphabets by the priest.It signifies the first step being taken in the acquisition of Knowledge.

    * The next day the children take back their books but stand before the goddess and read from them or write in them.

    * The string on the earthen pot is untied and it signifies the end of the puja.

    * Yogurt, Khoi (puffed rice) and bananas are offered to the goddess as she departs.

    * Bisarjan is act of floating/ sinking of the idol in a nearby river or pond.Alternatively the deity remains in the family puja room for a year till the next Saraswati Puja.
Holi
Festival Of Colours
Makar Sankranti
Festival Of Sankranti
Lohri
Festival Of Lohri
Pongal
Festival Of Pongal
Maha Shivratri
Festival Of Maha Shivratri
Vasant Panchami
Saraswati Puja
Ram Navami
Festival Of Ram Navami
Guru Purnima
Festival Of Guru Purnima
Rath Yatra
Festival Of Rath Yatra
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi
Onam
Festival Of Onam
Raksha Bandhan
Festival Of Raksha Bandhan
Navratra
Festival Of Navratra
Dusshera
Festival Of Dusshera
Karva Chauth
Festival Of Karva Chauth
Bhai Dooj
Festival Of Bhai Dooj
Onam
Govardhan Puja
Brahmotsavam
Festival Of Brahmotsavam
Karni Mata Mela
Karni Mata Mela
Pitr Paksh
Festival Of Pitr Paksh
Ramlila
Festival Of Ramlila
Sitabari fair
Festival Of Sitabari fair
Aanvla Navami
Aanvla Navami
Dev Uthani Ekadashi
Dev Uthani Ekadashi
Dhanteras
Festival Of Dhanteras
Maharishi Valmiki jayanti
Maharishi Valmiki jayanti
rambarat
Festival Of Rambarat

This Month Festivals

Festivals in oct-Nov 2009

Durga Puja