Basant Panchami 2016 date is, 12th February 2016. Basant Panchami is also known as Vasant Panchami 2016.The occasion is a celebration of nature's most beautiful month - spring specially in Northern India. While the beauty of nature is breath taking , the occasion holds great astrological significance.

Vasantis a Hindi word for spring and Panchamimeans the fifth day. Basant Panchami is thus celebrated on fifth day of Magh Masa, Shukla Paksha. Indian tradition and culture has always payed homage to the gifts of nature and Basant Panchamiis one amongst many such occasions. Spring is a season synonymous with colour, prosperity and blossom in most parts of India.Many call it the king of all seasons in a year. Like every year, this Basant Panchami in 2012marks the end of Amavasi in Magh month. Once again it's going to be a time for birds to sing, as the splendid silent sun will be in full dazzle after the freezing chill of winter.

The festival ofVasant Panchami is celebrated primarily in Northern India. Come Vasant Panchami 2016, the mustard fields of North India will look like a yellow carpet of mustard flowers. This explains the significance given to the colour yellow during Basant Panchami. So you will notice that on Vasant Panchami(also known as Basant Panchami in Hindi)deities in temples and houses will be decorated with yellow colour cloth.Similarly, yellow colored food, sweets and fruits are distributed to friends, neighbors and relatives. Yellow sweet rice is cooked and distributed on the day.

Vasant Panchami & Saraswati Puja

Basant Panchami is considered to be the birthday of the goddess of learning - Saraswati.This is a very important occasion for students, educational institutes and people involved in any kind of creative endeavor. On the occasion of Vasant Panchami 2016 (Basant Panchami in Hindi),the idol of Ma Saraswati will be worshipped, with seasonal fruits and mantras chanted asking blessings from the goddess of Education, Knowledge and Learning. On this day young girls are offered meals of yellow - sweet rice. Yellow colored clothes and ornaments are given to unmarried girls and poor. Belief has it that doing this will enhance knowledge, art, peace and happiness in family. Like every year, Basant Panchami 2016 is an auspicious occasion for Pitr Tarpan, for starting anything new like marriage, construction of house, beginning of a factory, inauguration of an educational institute etc.

Basant Panchami Rituals

On the day of Vasant Panchami,people indulge in kite flying for amusement. The skies painted in vibrant colours with innumerable kites dotting the sky all throughout the day.

On the day of Vasant Pancahmi, people prefer eating sweet food. Saffron, dry fruits and sugar is mixed in rice and cooked. Sweet rice like Pulav, Ladoos, Bundi ,Kheer and Malpuas are offered as prasand and distributed to near dear ones.

One can actually experience the festive spirit of Basant Panchami 2012by being a part of the Melas organized in various parts of India at that time.Namely, Magh Mela,Sangrur's Fair of Gudri Shiva Temple, Tilak Utsav celebrated in Baidyanath and celebrations at the temple of Sage Durvasa in Mathura - where Basant Panchami is celebrated in full swing.

Poems on Basant Panchami

Nature has always inspired creative minds and so we have innumerable poems on spring season or poems on Basant Panchami.A season where natures at its best, poems on Basant Panchami paint word pictures about capturing the mesmerizing beauty of this season, this occasion. Let's have a look at some poems of Basant Panchami that glorifies the occasion.

Poem on Basant Panchami 1

Poem on Basant Panchami 2

AstroSage wishes all the visitors a VERY Happy Basant Panchami 2016.