Significance of Saraswati Puja: Importance of Basant Panchami & Cultural Values

The importance of Basant Panchi has been narrated in many stories, folk songs, and worshipping rituals in India. One of the most worshipped goddesses of India, Maa Saraswati, is said to be the ‘Devi of knowledge and intelligence.’ Hence, parents must teach the significance of Saraswati pooja to kids and its cultural importance. The history of Saraswati pooja goes back to the ancient times when sages used to pray to get the blessings of Maa Saraswati – marking the arrival of Basant ritu – the spring festival.

Goddess Saraswati and Basant Panchami

According to Hindu Mythology, Goddess Saraswati is believed to be the daughter of Lord Brahma. She is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism and is known as the Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, and wisdom. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami. The importance of Basant Panchami includes the arrival of the spring season in India. It falls on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magh, typically in late January or early February.

History of Saraswati Pooja

The worship of Goddess Saraswati can be traced back to the Vedic era when she was considered a river goddess associated with fertility and nourishment. Hence the significance of Saraswati Puja for kids is a well-established concept in Indian tradition. It was believed that the river Saraswati, which was supposed to be the cradle of civilization in ancient India, provided the people with nutrition, knowledge, and wisdom. Later, in the Puranas (ancient Hindu texts), Saraswati was elevated to the status of a goddess and was associated with learning, knowledge, and wisdom – enhancing the importance of Basant Panchmi.

Importance of Basant Panchmi

According to Hindu mythology, Basant Panchami is also associated with the love story of Kamadeva, the god of love, and his wife, Rati. It is said that in an urge to help Parvati, Kamadev tried to shoot Shiva with his arrow made of flowers and tipped it with honey at Lord Shiva, hoping to ignite the flames of desire in his heart. This made Lord Shiva angry; he opened his third eye and turned Kamadev into ashes. Rati pleaded with the gods to bring her husband back to life. Her devotion moved the gods and granted her wish on Basant Panchami. This story symbolizes the power of love and the importance of Basant Panchmi. In another version of the story, it is the same day Lord Bharma created the Goddess, Saraswati. Hence, it is celebrated as her birthday – telling us the significance of Saraswati Puja for kids on Basant Panchmi.

Importance of Saraswati Pooja:

To seek blessings from the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge:

The importance of Basant Panchmi is directly related to the belief that worshiping the Goddess on this day can help one better understand various subjects and enhance one’s intellectual abilities.

To promote the history of Saraswati Puja and cultural values in the coming generations:

Saraswati Puja promotes cultural values. It also signifies the importance of education, music, and the arts. Hence, Basant Panjami is celebrated in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions to encourage students towards education and arts.

It also marks the beginning of spring:

Basant Panchami is celebrated around February or March – relating the history of Saraswati Puja on this day from hundreds of decades.

Saraswati Beej Mantra

Beej mantra is the phrase that is used to worship Goddess Saraswati. Students can recite these mantras daily to seek Goddess Saraswati’s blessings. The mantra is:

सरस्वती नमस्तभ्ुयंवरदेकामरूपिणी
विद्यारम्भंकरिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतर्भ ुमेंसदा।
Saraswati Namastubhyam Varade Kaamarupini
Vidyaarambham Karishyaami Siddhirbhavatu Me Sadaa.

Translation: “O Goddess Saraswati, my humble obeisance to you, the bestower of boons, and the one who takes various forms to fulfill the wishes of your devotees. I am going to start my studies now. Please bless me with success and enlightenment always.”

Significance of Saraswati Puja for Kids

If your kid has an artistic inclination, you must teach him or her to worship Goddess Saraswati as she is the Goddess of knowledge, learning, and arts. You always need a spiritual blessing to enhance your skill as an artist. Who can be better than the Goddess Saraswati? Worshipping Goddess Saraswati gives artists a spiritual dimension to their art and helps them to express themselves more creatively.

We all know how important it is for kids to study. And thus, every parent puts their best efforts into teaching their kids the significance of Saraswati Puja. Parents work hard and send their kids to the best schools. They make sure that their studies are not disturbed. Mothers would generally create an environment where kids can study peacefully. Fathers usually work hard and spend much money and effort on kids’ overall development. But the most crucial thing parents generally forget is to build an attitude in kids to study. Also, they must have gratitude towards the resources they are being provided. And these values come from our culture.

Teaching your kids these values by telling them the Significance of Saraswati Puja and the importance of Basant Panchmi has many benefits:

Believing in a higher power will keep them grounded and secure.
They will learn gratitude by bowing down to the Goddess Saraswati
They will learn about their roots through rituals while worshipping Goddess Sarwasti.

Process of Saraswati Pooja

Usually, in Hinduism, you are free to worship god in any form or way you wish to. But knowing a generalized process helps better understand the vidhi or ritual. Thus here is a routine that you can ask your child to follow each day so that the blessings of Goddess Saraswati are always bestowed upon him or her – telling us the importance of Basant Panchmi.

Cleanliness: The first and foremost step is that your child bathes and wears fresh clothes.
Set up a pooja area: You can create a pooja or worship area for your kids. They can sit there and meditate on the mantra. This area can be the place where you generally do pooja.
Sit on a mat: It is essential to sit on a mat while worshipping
Incense: You can light an incense stick while praying. The fragrance will help to create a peaceful aura to worship.
Mantra: ‘Beej Mantra’ can be challenging to recite for younger kids. So you can use a more straightforward mantra to worship Goddess Saraswati. (ॐ ऐंसरस्वतीयेनमः॥) Om Aim Saraswatiye Namah॥
Make it a routine: Being disciplined and consistent in anything you do is essential. Hence, worshipping daily teaches your kid that discipline.
Worship with your kid: As said, children are reflections of their parents. Thus, the best way to teach your kids to pray is to do it yourself. Set an example for them. Make them sit with you while you pray. Kids tend to copy and learn faster.

Hope you follow these steps. And with that blessing of Goddess Saraswati bestows upon you and your family.

At Eurokids, we understand the importance of ingraining values and ensuring the teaching of Indian culture and the importance of festivals. Our preschool curriculum is designed to provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and explore.