What Is The Significance Of Vasant Panchami In The Hindu Calendar?
Festival occurring on
the fifth day (panchami) of the bright (waxing) half of the lunar month of Magh(January–February), recognized as the first day of spring (vasant).
This day is considered dedicated to the goddess Saraswati,
patron Goddess of the arts, music, and learning.
In her honor, celebrants perform melodies in musical modes
(ragas) connected with spring.
Given Saraswati’s link with study, today is also historically reckoned as the day on which young children should begin their studies.
Vasant Panchami is also linked to Kama, the deity of love,
since the arrival of spring heralds the return of blooming plants, along with
their aromas and colors.
Kama is said to have tried to put sensual desire in the
deity Shiva's heart by first bringing spring to Mount Kailas, where Shiva is
meditating, and then shooting Shiva with one of his flower arrows.
Shiva emerges from his meditation, gets enraged with Kama, and uses a flash of flame from his third eye to turn him to ashes.
Despite his destruction, Kama succeeds in the end—after
being awakened, Shiva becomes aware of Parvati's austere practice and finally
marries her.