Saraswati Puja is celebrated all over India especially in eastern India, West Bangladesh, and Nepal with great pomp and show. It is believed that on this day Goddess Saraswati was born. The story of Saraswati puja is related to ‘Brahma Vaivarta Purana’ and ‘Matsya Purana’.

40 day penance of Rati Before Holi
It is believed that this is the day when Goddess Rati went into severe penance for a duration of 40 days after Lord Shiva turned her husband Kamadeva into ashes. Her penance brought colors later and hence her husband was revived from the curse. On the day of Basant Panchami, Shiva finally relented and brought Kamadeva back to life. This is why Kamadeva, the god of love and desire, is worshipped along with his wife Rati on this day.

Celebration Of Start Of Spring
The start of spring is felt in the air on this day, especially in the North where the advent of chilly winters is suddenly taken over by the spring. The new leaves and blossoms appear in the trees visible.

Celebration Of Harvest
People belonging to the Uttarakhand region worship the mother earth and crops as well along with Goddess Saraswati. People worship by placing cow dung heaps in the fields and keep ears of barley and wheat on the heaps. Earthen lamps and incense are lit on the heap to signify worship to the mother god and the crops or agriculture. Ears of corn and barley are also tied to doors and windows of buildings. People eat sweet rice and wear yellow.