Vasant Panchami 2019: Vasant Panchami is the fifth day of the lunar month of Magh, and is considered extremely auspicious by Hindus. Though vasant means spring, the day does not necessarily mean a celebration of the season. Vasant Panchami, which is usually celebrated sometime between late January and early March every year, is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.

It is believed that Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and all kinds of learning, was born on this day. It’s a big day for students in India, especially in northern part of the country where schools, colleges and other educational institutions arrange pujas and celebrate the occasion in a grand way. In most of the southern states, however, Saraswati Puja is celebrated during Sharad Navratri.

When is Saraswati Puja 2019?

This year, Vasant Panchami and Saraswati Puja will be celebrated on Sunday, 10 February. However, Saraswati Puja will be celebrated on 9 February at many places.

READ | Saraswati Puja date 9 February or 10 February? Find out why the confusion

Saraswati Puja tithi and muhurt

The Vasant Panchami puja muhurt this year will start at 07:08 am and end at 12:36 pm (5 hours and 27 minutes), according to Drik panchang.

The panchami tithi will begin at 12:25 pm on 9 February 2019 and end at 14:08 pm on 10 February 2019.

Vasant Panchami and Saraswati Puja significance

Vasant Panchami, also known as Shri Panchami and Saraswati Panchami, is the day when many families prefer to perform the Vidyarambh for children. Vidyarambh, or Vidya-arambham, means initiation of education and is also known as Akshar-abhyasam and haate-khori in different parts of India.

The puja is usually done in the morning hours, and the day is considered auspicious to start all good work.

Saraswati is also called ‘Veenapani’ as she holds a musical instrument, veena, in her hands. Always portrayed in pure white garments and sitting on a white lotus, Saraswati is seen holding a rosary and a book in her two other hands. In most of her images, the Goddess is seen with a swan.

The following lines of a prayer (Saraswati vandana) are said to depict the Goddess in the best possible manner.

|| Ya kundendu tushar haar dhavala, ya shubravastravreta
Ya veenavaradandamandita-kara, ya shweta-padmasana
Ya Brahmachyuta  Shankara-prabhritibhi devaih sada vandita
Sa Ma patu Saraswati bhagawati, nihshesh-jadyapaha ||

(Salutations to the Goddess who is pure white like jasmine, and who has the coolness of the moon, brightness of snow and who shines like a garland of pearls;
Who hands hold a veena and shower boon; and who is seated on pure white lotus;
Who is always adored by Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and other gods;
O Goddess Saraswati, please protect me and completely remove my ignorance)