Vasanta (season)

Panchami is the fifth day of Shukla Paksha, the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Magha, (January – February).

Her water originates in the Himalayas, flows southeast and meets the Ganges at Prayag near its confluence with the Yamuna (Triveni).

Saraswati is also a goddess of speech and learning who blesses the world with vach (words), hymns, Sanskrit and the wealth of knowledge.

Many schools organize cultural activities in the evening of the Saraswati Puja day when parents and other community members attend the functions to encourage the children.

Books, articles, musical instruments, tools for art such as earthen inkpots and bamboo quills, are placed in front of the goddess to receive her blessings.

The ink is made from unboiled milk water, red colour powder and silver glitter called avro.

Although it is auspicious for children to learn their first word on this day of celebration, everyone abstains from their usual reading and writing in deference to the goddess.

The colour yellow represents good fortune, spirituality, the ripening of the spring crops and the recent harvest.

The yellow flowers of the mustard crop covers the field in such a way that it seems as if gold is spread over the land, glittering in the rays of the sun.

Oonchi naar kay oonchay chitvan, Ayso diyo hai banaaye Shah Amir tuhay dekhan ko, nainon say naina milaaye, Suhaagun, aaj basant manaalay.

[11] Basant is synonymous in Pakistan with a kite flying celebration rather than the seasonal festival association of neighbouring India.

The phrase Ayi Basant Pala Udant, meaning, "with the onset of spring, winter bids adieu" is used.