By Tarot Pooja Verma, Tarot Card Reader and Numerologist
Basant Panchami, a significant festival in the Indian cultural calendar, will be observed on January 23 this year, marking the worship of Goddess Saraswati—the deity of knowledge, wisdom, music and creative arts. Celebrated on Magh Shukla Panchami, the festival also heralds the arrival of the spring season.
According to ancient beliefs, Goddess Saraswati was manifested by Lord Brahma at the dawn of creation to dispel darkness and ignorance. Her divine presence is believed to have bestowed humanity with intellect, speech, art, music and creative expression. Over time, this auspicious day came to be celebrated as Basant Panchami.
Goddess Saraswati is traditionally depicted in white attire, symbolising purity, clarity of thought and harmony. She is revered not only for academic learning but also for nurturing refined communication, inner awareness and intellectual balance. The festival holds special significance for students, teachers, scholars, artists and writers.
One of the key rituals of Basant Panchami is the worship of Goddess Saraswati, with devotees wearing yellow attire, a colour associated with positivity, prosperity and the vibrancy of spring. Offerings of yellow flowers, turmeric and saffron are considered auspicious. Many devotees place books, notebooks, pens or electronic devices near the deity as a symbolic gesture of humility and dedication towards learning.
Charitable acts, such as donating yellow food items, sweets or clothes, are also widely practised. Helping students on this day is believed to bring positive outcomes and long-term progress.
Basant Panchami serves as a reminder that knowledge is a vital source of empowerment and should be used for personal development and the collective good.