Vasant panchami.... Vasant means spring and panchami means fifth day. This day is celebrated somewhere in the months of January to february
The beginning of spring is not always determined by fixed calendar dates. The phenological or ecological definition of spring relates to biological indicators; the blossoming of a range of plant species, and the activities of animals, or the special smell of soil that has reached the temperature for micro flora to flourish. It therefore varies according to the climate and according to the specific weather of a particular year. Most ecologists divide the year into six seasons that have no fixed dates. In addition to spring, ecological reckoning identifies an earlier separate prevernal (early or pre-spring) season between the hibernal (winter) and vernal (spring) seasons. This is a time when only the hardiest flowers like the crocus are in bloom, sometimes while there is still some snowcover on the ground. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_(season)
The beginning of spring is not always determined by fixed calendar dates. The phenological or ecological definition of spring relates to biological indicators; the blossoming of a range of plant species, and the activities of animals, or the special smell of soil that has reached the temperature for micro flora to flourish. It therefore varies according to the climate and according to the specific weather of a particular year. Most ecologists divide the year into six seasons that have no fixed dates. In addition to spring, ecological reckoning identifies an earlier separate prevernal (early or pre-spring) season between the hibernal (winter) and vernal (spring) seasons. This is a time when only the hardiest flowers like the crocus are in bloom, sometimes while there is still some snowcover on the ground. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_(season)
In terms of its cultural significance, vasant panchami has been compared to Chinese New Year and the Christian Candlemas, with the subsequent 40-day stretch between Vasant Panchami and Holi compared to the Christian Lenten season.
Vasant panchami is the festival marking the herald of spring in North India(however not entire north india). Due to the vast differences in the climate and weather conditions in different parts of India, the onset of seasons does not fall on the same day in different parts of India. the herald of spring is marked by sankranthi in the southern states of India. Again this festive day does not fall on the same solar calendar day. Some even consider it the harvest festival. it falls on the (shukla panchami) i.e the bright fifth day of Magha masam(month) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_calendar
shukla(white&bright) paksham(one lunar phase or fortnight) means the waxing moon phase or the 15 days before the full moon. Krishna(dark) paksham means the waning moon phase
shukla(white&bright) paksham(one lunar phase or fortnight) means the waxing moon phase or the 15 days before the full moon. Krishna(dark) paksham means the waning moon phase
The other festivals that mark the herald and arrival of spring are - Sankranthi and thai Pongal (mostly in the southern India), Holi (mostly in Noth and notheaster india), Rongali Bihu(assam valley) and the Nowrouz (Jammu,kashmir and parts of gujrat and Uttarpradesh). These festivals also mark the harvest seasons of the particular regions.
The other significant feature of Vasant panchami is the worship of godess saraswati. Godess saraswati is a representation of knowledge, wisdom and education. this day is a tribute of paying respect to the knowledge and wisdom, life gives to humanity in the form of nature and its creation. On this day many tasks related to education are initiated... such as initiation of a childs education, laying foundation of any educational institution or any such education and knowledge related events.
Man has always been god-fearing. he is aware of a higher/divine power responsible for life. So, many wise men have been using this attitude of man to bring in discipline into society , for the welfare and growth of mankind.
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