Ranchi, Jharkhand | February | Saturday | 13, 2016 :: Saraswati Puja was celebrated in Ranchi,
Saraswati puja coincides with Basant Panchami, the first day of spring, and it’s also observed as the day of birth of the goddess. The day is all about prosperity, energy, and enlightenment.
Mostly a north Indian festival, it’s about celebrating the positivity spring brings with it – a sense of hope, and of course the delicious food that is cooked in different communities all over the country. Incidentally, while the date is observed even in South India, it’s mostly a temple festival, which is quite different from the way it’s celebrated in other parts of the country. From homes, shops, and most importantly educational institutes – Saraswati puja is celebrated with much fanfare everywhere. While in Bengal Basant Panchami marks Saraswati Puja, it’s also the kite festival in Punjab, and the harvest festival in Bihar. This was the day when yellow, also called ‘basanti’, became the colour of choice, and not without reason. Traditionally, yellow depicts the positive energy of life, and nature, and by default signifies the arrival of spring.
