It’s that time of year again. The cold weather is gradually giving way to a beautiful and full spring. Blooming flowers, ripe fruits and green fields, there is a reason that Spring is also known as the King of all seasons. Different communities and countries around the world have different ways of celebrating the change of seasons. In India, which is also an agriculture-based economy, spring plays a huge role in the agricultural and harvest calendar and of course, the way it celebrates spring is also very special. Basant Panchami is a spring festival held across the country with much solemnity and excitement. Basant Panchami It is celebrated on the fifth day of Maagh (a month in the Hindu calendar) every year and is celebrated in the ways unique to each community. The word ‘Basant’ means spring and ‘Panchmi’ denotes the fifth day of the festival. It is also known by the name Vasant Panchami. Bengali people all over the country celebrate ‘Saraswati Puja’ on auspicious day and lots of traditional delicacies are also prepared and enjoyed by many.
(Read more: Basant Panchami 2022: 5 Yellow Candies for the Festival (Recipes inside))
The importance of Saraswati Puja
Saraswati Puja is one of the most important festivals for the Bengali community, preparations will begin days in advance. The Goddess’s clay idol is holding Veena (a musical instrument) installed in households and temple yards. Saraswati idols are dressed up in beautiful clothes and accessories, and the courtyard is artistically decorated. alponas (Rangoli made with rice flour). The goddess was offered a series of offerings. Fresh yellow and white flowers and fruits like jujubes are some of the offerings the deity is said to love. On auspicious days, students also place their books on the idol’s feet to seek her blessing. In Hindu belief, Goddess Saraswati is said to be the Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, art and culture. There is a common ritual to introduce children to writing on the holy occasion of Saraswati Puja.
Why don’t people eat Ber or Kool before Saraswati Puja?
Saraswati Puja is a celebration of spring, art, culture and new beginnings. To welcome the beautiful spring in all its glory, popular symbols and motifs are used in the celebrations. The color of Basant (Spring) is yellow, also known as ‘Basanti’ color. It symbolizes prosperity, light, energy and optimism. This is why people wear yellow clothes and make traditional dishes that are yellow.
Another popular ritual that Bengali people follow is eating their first jujube also known as kool (Bengali) or Pier(Hindi), of the season on Sarwaswati Puja. In fact, the eating Pier before Sarsawati Pooja was considered bad and restricted. Ber or kool is one of the most widely planted spring fruits and Goddess Saraswati and several other deities like Lord Shiva are said to enjoy this fruit very much. Hence only when jujube (known as Ber fruit) offered to the goddess in puja, do Bengali Start eating delicious fruit. The Kool or Pier then eaten like prasad. During the community party held in the afternoon/evening, some people also prepare delicious food Kool’er Achhar. It is a sweet, sour and spicy pickle made from Indian berries. These sours are eaten as a sweet chili sauce or made into a sweet pickle, using jaggery as a base. Meethe Bhaat,Khichdi, begini (fried eggplant), Labra( mixed vegetable), Rajbhog and Paayesh some other dishes enjoyed in Saraswati Puja celebration.
Happy Saraswati Puja 2018 everyone!
About Sushmita SenguptaSharing strong food preferences, Sushmita loves all things delicious, cheese and greasy. Her other favorite leisure activities besides discussing food include, reading books, watching movies and binge-watching TV shows.
