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The day of Basant Panchami is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. Sarasati is the goddess of learning who bequeaths the greatest wealth to humanity, the wealth of knowledge. Hindu mythology depicts Saraswati as a pristine lady bedecked with white attire, white flowers and white pearls, sitting on a white lotus, which blooms in a wide stretch of water. The Goddess also holds Veena, a string-instrument, like Sitar, for playing music. From Indiasite.
Today at home we celebrate Basant Panchami as Saraswati's Festival Day. Traditionally in India Basant means spring & Panchami means the fifth day of spring. So the colour that is used for the celebration is yellow. In our home we are combining the colours of yellow & white as we are going into autumn/winter. Saraswati is coming to our house - a bit like Saint Nicholas - so we have been cleansing it, rearranging the furniture, secretly wrapping gifts, decorating with white lilies, lighting incense & making the environment sattvic or pure. We are offering the Greek sweet baklava. In return, we are hoping that Saraswati blesses us & our home with peace, joy, Love, understanding & knowledge. May she also bless the children of our community with high quality education.
The prayer of Saraswati concludes as, "Oh Mother Saraswati remove the darkness (ignorance) of my mind and bless me with the eternal knowledge."
