Vasant Panchami is the first and more minor of two spring-themed festivals in Hindu culture. Vasant Panchami initiates the spring festive cycle and heralds its summation that occurs with Holi. The seasonal aspects of the festival are more significant in Northern India due to the sharper contrast between the winter and the spring, however the festival's religious and cultural significance are emphasized across all celebrating regions. In ancient Indian literature, Vasant Panchami is associated with Shringar Ras and the festival was celebrated in this tradition.Celebrations today still honor Kamadeva, his wife Rati, and his friend Vasant (the personification of Spring). In modern times, however, Vasant Panchami day is more commonly associated with Maa Saraswati, the goddess of learning, wisdom, knowledge, fine arts, refinement, science and technology. The Goddess Saraswati is worshiped and the day is treated by celebrants as Saraswati's birthday. People worship Goddess Saraswati to attain enlightenment through knowledge and to rid themselves of lethargy, sluggishness and ignorance.
Vasant Panchami is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the bright half of the Indian month of Magh (spring season, January to February). It is celebrated as Saraswati Puja primarily over eastern parts of India, and as Sri Panchami in other parts of Bengal. In the Punjab region, Basant is celebrated as the Basant Festival of Kites: kite festivals are held in cities such as Firozpur. In terms of its cultural significance, the festival has been compared to Chinese New Year and the Christian Candlemas, with the subsequent 40-day stretch between Vasant Panchami and Holi compared to the Christian Lenten season.
Source: Wikipedia
Vasant Panchami is the first and more minor of two spring-themed festivals in Hindu culture. Vasant Panchami initiates the spring festive cycle and heralds its summation that occurs with Holi. The seasonal aspects of the festival are more significant in Northern India due to the sharper contrast between the winter and the spring, however the festival's religious and cultural significance are emphasized across all celebrating regions. In ancient Indian literature, Vasant Panchami is associated with Shringar Ras and the festival was celebrated in this tradition.Celebrations today still honor Kamadeva, his wife Rati, and his friend Vasant (the personification of Spring). In modern times, however, Vasant Panchami day is more commonly associated with Maa Saraswati, the goddess of learning, wisdom, knowledge, fine arts, refinement, science and technology. The Goddess Saraswati is worshiped and the day is treated by celebrants as Saraswati's birthday. People worship Goddess Saraswati to attain enlightenment through knowledge and to rid themselves of lethargy, sluggishness and ignorance.
Vasant Panchami is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the bright half of the Indian month of Magh (spring season, January to February). It is celebrated as Saraswati Puja primarily over eastern parts of India, and as Sri Panchami in other parts of Bengal. In the Punjab region, Basant is celebrated as the Basant Festival of Kites: kite festivals are held in cities such as Firozpur. In terms of its cultural significance, the festival has been compared to Chinese New Year and the Christian Candlemas, with the subsequent 40-day stretch between Vasant Panchami and Holi compared to the Christian Lenten season.
Source: Wikipedia