Vasant Panchami.
Vasant Panchami also known as Shri Panchami celebrated in Shukla paksha on 5th day of magha maas(month ) as it is the birthday of goddess Saraswati.
Muhurtam 2024.
This year Vasant Panchami is on 14th February 2024 and the muhurt starts from 13th February 8:28 p.m. to 14th February 6 : 17 p.m.
Story behind Vasantha Panchami.
According to the directions of lord Vishnu lord Brahma started creating this universe(Brahmand). When he came for the observation of his universe, he was very upset because everything is very very silent without any sound. Then again with the permission of lord Vishnu, Brahmaji took some water from his mandal(small container in his hand) and sprinkled on the earth then a beautiful goddess incarnation took place with four hands having Veena and book in her hand. Lord Brahma named her as Saraswati and this day of incarnation of Goddess Saraswati is celebrated as Vasant Panchami.
Though it is celebrated in magha maas, it is named as Vasant Panchami indicating welcome to the beautiful life like atmosphere present in the vasant maas.
What to do or how to perform Pooja.
On this auspicious day devotees perform Pooja to goddess Saraswati with flowers and preparing Prasad for goddess Saraswati. students keep their books, pen,paper etc in front of the goddess Saraswati Mata and musicians ,writers ,singers also keep their instruments in front of God and perform Pooja.
On this special day a special ritual is performed for the children below 5 years and its name is aksharabhyasam.
In this ritual children are taken to the goddess Saraswati temple. Pandit in the temple chant Saraswati Devi slokas and make children to write Omkar on the grains of rice, then parents holding the hand of their children make them to write their first alphabet on the slate or on the notebook.
Significance
It is believed that by performing Pooja to idle of Saraswati on this special day devotees get knowledge ,good education, their life is going to be blissful and they will come out of the darkness to the bright light.