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Get ready to embrace the joy of spring on Basant Panchami, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm on February 14! Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchami, is a festival that marks the arrival of the spring season in India. This vibrant festival has been celebrated for centuries and is devoted to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of wisdom, knowledge, music, art, and culture. With its roots going back to the 6th century AD, it's a tradition that fills the air with the sweetness of kites flying high, mellifluous music, and vibrant attire. Get set to join the city-wide festivities adorned in yellow, the iconic color of this festival symbolizing the mustards bloom, and dive into the joyous celebrations of Basant Panchami!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>6th Century AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origins of Basant Panchami</div><div class='timeline-text'>As a celebration that marks the arrival of spring, Basant Panchami traces its roots back to the 6th century AD in India.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1200s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Sikh Observance</div><div class='timeline-text'>The festival was first observed by Sikhs in the late 12th century and became an official festival in the Sikh calendar.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Syncretism with Sufism</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the 19th century, Basant Panchami also became symbolic in the South Asian Sufi tradition representing spiritual awakening.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1947</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Basant Panchami Post-Partition</div><div class='timeline-text'>After the partition of India, Basant Panchami continued being celebrated in regions of Punjab across both India and Pakistan.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1970s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Expansion to Western Countries</div><div class='timeline-text'>Indian communities in North America, UK, and other countries began celebrating Basant Panchami as part of preserving cultural heritage.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The festival gained global recognition with celebrations and events organized in many parts of the world to mark this distinctively yellow festival of spring.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dress in vibrant yellow</h3><p class='facts-text'>Embrace the vibrancy of this festival by dressing in yellow. This color symbolizes the blooming mustard fields and the arrival of spring. It is not just about clothes, you can also accessorize with yellow jewellery, scarves or shoes.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a kite flying competition</h3><p class='facts-text'>Get outside and have some fun on Basant Panchami by hosting a kite flying competition. This traditional activity is a popular way to celebrate the arrival of spring.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Organize a Saraswati Puja</h3><p class='facts-text'>As the festival is heavily associated with Goddess Saraswati, you can organize a puja at home, inviting friends and family to join in prayers and hymn singing sessions to invoke wisdom, knowledge and enlightenment.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Prepare traditional sweets</h3><p class='facts-text'>Food is an integral part of every Indian festival. On this day, one can prepare traditional sweets like Kesari Bhaat, Kheer, Malpua and distribute among friends and family. Sweets are offered to goddess Saraswati as well and prasad.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Donate books and musical instruments</h3><p class='facts-text'>Given that the festival celebrates goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and arts, you can pay tribute by donating books and musical instruments to underprivileged children. This act of giving has a relevance to the festive spirit and symbolic meaning.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It signifies the arrival of Spring</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Basant Panchami is a festival that celebrates the vibrancy and joy of Spring after the biting cold of winter. The colorful celebrations and dressing in yellow not only add to the festival's visual appeal but also reflect the bloom of mustard fields, symbolizing natural rejuvenation.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promotes Knowledge and Art</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Basant Panchami celebrates Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, wisdom, and arts. Organizing Saraswati Puja and donating books and musical instruments not only honors the Goddess but also promotes the values of education and creativity.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Encourages Community Activities</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>From hosting kite flying competitions to preparing and sharing traditional sweets, Basant Panchami encourages numerous community activities. These communal celebrations create a sense of harmony and togetherness among community members while making the festivities more enjoyable and memorable.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Basant Panchami Also Marks the Start of Holi Preparations</h3><p class='facts-content'>In many parts of India, Basant Panchami signifies the start of preparations for the Holi festival, which is celebrated 40 days later. This day is also when the Holika bonfire logs are gathered to start the preparation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Symbols Associated with Saraswati are Worshiped</h3><p class='facts-content'>On Basant Panchami, items related to learning, such as books, pens, and musical instruments are placed near the goddess's idol or image and are worshiped as sources of wisdom and knowledge.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Auspicious Day for New Beginnings</h3><p class='facts-content'>Basant Panchami is considered an auspicious day to begin new educational or artistic pursuits. Children often write their first words on this day, known as "Vidyarambham" or initiation into learning.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Saraswati Puja Celebrated by Various Religions</h3><p class='facts-content'>Saraswati Puja on Basant Panchami is celebrated not only by Hindus, but also by some Buddhists, Jains, and also in some Sikh communities, highlighting the cultural unity and diverse roots of the festival.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Yellow Sweets are Specially Prepared</h3><p class='facts-content'>Just as people wear yellow on Basant Panchami, many also prepare and distribute yellow-colored sweets like Kesari Bhaat. Dyed with saffron or turmeric, these foods add another dimension to the celebrations' color theme.</p></div></div>
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