Vasant Panchami or Basant Panchami or Shree Panchami is an important Hindu festival that is celebrated on the fifth day of the month of Magh month which is the first day of spring every year according to the Hindu calendar. The day falls somewhere in the months of January to February according to the Gregorian calendar. On this day Goddess Saraswati who is the goddess of knowledge, music and art is worshipped. Vasant means spring and this festival heralds the beginning of the spring season.
It is believed that Goddess Saraswati was born on this day. Goddess Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahma. She signifies knowledge and learning. This day is considered very auspicious for starting of education and children are taught their first letter on this day. On this day Goddess Saraswati is worshipped in all temples and homes. Schools, colleges organizes special worship of Saraswati. Colour yellow has special significance on this day as it signifies spirituality and vibrancy of life. It also signifies the spring when the crops start ripening. On this day people wear yellow clothes and offer yellow flowers to the gods. It is the day when people pray to the gods for a good bumper harvest. Even sweets are coloured yellow by adding saffron. Vasant Panchami is included in the Abujh Muhurat Vasant Panchami is a favourable day for auspicious works like marriage, construction of house, beginning of a factory etc. and considered as of a favourable Muhurat for inauguration of an educational institute. Ancestor worship (Pitr-tarpan) is performed on this day and Kamadeva, the god of love is also worshipped on Basant Panchami is some places. Children fly kites on this day and a famous kite festival is observed in Ferozepur, Punjab.
In 2013 Basant Panchami has special significance because this day falls during the Maha Kumbh mela held in Allahabad. It is the third Shahi Snan and an important bathing festival. Kumbh Mela at Prayagis the world's most massive act of faith which is held once in 12 years. One of the most important and common reason to attend the largest holy festival Kumbh Mela is to take dip in the Holy river on auspicious dates. The main bathing days are known as 'Shahi Snans' or 'Royal Bathing Days'. It is believed that by bathing in the Ganges during Kumbh Mela one is freed from one's past sins and thus attains liberation from the cycle of birth and death and attains salvation. The Basant Panchami `Snan' is one among the most important bathing days after Mauni Amavasya during the Maha Kumbh Mela. On this day thousands of devotees take a holy dip at the Sangam, meeting place, of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati.