Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami As 'Diwali' – the festival of light – is to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, and 'Navaratri' is to Durga, goddess of power and valor, Vasant Panchami is to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts. This festival is celebrated every year on the 5th day or ‘Panchami’ of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha, which falls during January-February, . ‘Vasant’ comes from the word ‘spring’ as this festival heralds the beginning of the spring season. Birthday of Goddess Saraswati:It is believed that on this day goddess Saraswati was born. Hindus celebrate Vasant Panchami with great fervor in temples, homes and even schools and colleges. Saraswati’s favorite color yellow assumes special significance on this day. Statues of the goddess are dressed in yellow clothes and are worshiped by devotees adorning yellow garments. Saraswati is offered yellow colored sweets which are given away as ‘prasad’ to all people attending the ritual worship. There is also a custom of ancestor worship, known as ‘Pitri-Tarpan’ in many parts of India during Vasant Panchami. The Foundation of Education:The most significant aspect of Vasant Panchami is that it is also the most auspicious day to begin laying one’s foundations of education – of how to read and write. Pre-school children are given their first lesson in reading and writing on this day. All Hindu educational institutions conduct special prayer for Saraswati on this day. It is also a great day to inaugurate training institutes and new schools – a trend made famous by the renowned Indian educationist Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861-1946), who founded the Banaras Hindu University on Vasant Panchami day in 1916. A Springtime Celebration:During Vasant Panchami, the advent of spring is felt in the air as the season undergoes change. New leaves and blossoms appear in the trees with the promise of new life and hope. Vasant Panchami also announces the arrival of another big springtime event in the Hindu calendar - Holi, the festival of colors. Saraswati Vandana: Sanskrit Mantra:The following prayer is recited on this day: Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha

Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasana


Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha
Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa


English Translation:"May Goddess Saraswati, who is fair like the jasmine-colored moon, and whose pure white garland is like frosty dew drops; who is adorned in radiant white attire, on whose beautiful arm rests the veena, and whose throne is a white lotus; who is surrounded and respected by the Gods, protect me. May you fully remove my lethargy, sluggishness, and ignorance."
 
Credits: S Das
 
Jai Ram Ji Ki
Pt Vishal

Saraswati Mantra

Saraswati is the goddess of arts, music, knowledge, and wisdom in the Hindu religion. Goddess Sarasvati is said to possess the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. Sarsvati is regarded as the dispeller of chaos and confusion. Saraswati Mantra is an important mantra of the Hindus that is recited for higher knowledge and wisdom. In India, people pray to her for guidance and knowledge. Maa Sarasvati Mantra is as follows:

 "Yaa Kundendu Tushaara Haaradhavalaa, Yaa Shubhravastraavritha

Yaa Veenavara Dandamanditakara, Yaa Shwetha Padmaasana

Yaa Brahmaachyutha Shankara Prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha

Saa Maam Paatu Saraswati Bhagavatee Nihshesha Jaadyaapaha"

                  
                    

 Meaning: Goddess Saraswati is fair and beautiful like the jasmine-colored moon. Her white garland resembles the icy dew drops. She is decked in pure white attire. A white lotus serves as the throne of Maa Saraswati, on whose arm rests Veena. We pray Maha Saraswati, who is surrounded and respected by the Gods to bestow her blessings on us. May the goddess remove our lethargy and brighten our life with light of knowledge. 

 Jai ram Ji Ki  Pt Vishal

Saraswati Jayanti (Vasant Panchami)

Host: Shri Ganapati Bhavan Inc

Type: Other - Ceremony

Network: Global

Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Time: 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Location: Shri Ganapati Bhavan

Street: 109-39 Van Wyck Service Road (North)

Hindu Dates January 2010

This Calendar is based on Longitude & Latitude


Trinidad and Tobago and New York City (Eastern Standard Time)

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Chowth 03

Ashtmi 08

Shattila Ekadashi 10

Monthly Shivraatri Makar Sankranti 13

Amaawasya 14

Gupa Nav Raatri begins 15

Panchak begins 1...7

Till Chaturthi 19

Saraswati Jayanti 20

Ashtmi 23

Gupta Nav Raatri ends 24

Jayaa Ekadashi 26

Pradosh 27

Poornima Vrat, Lalita Jayanti Maagh Snaan ends 29



Courtesy : Radio Jaagriti
Jai Ram Ji Ki

Pt Vishal
NOTE: please consult your Pundit for precise times and other information required.