Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchami, is a vibrant Hindu festival that is joyously celebrated throughout India. Occurring on the fifth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Magha, usually in late January or early February, it signifies the beginning of the spring season. Yellow takes centre stage during Basant Panchami celebrations, adding a vibrant touch to the festivities. The rich and significant colour is woven into every element of the celebration, including clothing, decor, and mouthwatering dishes. Let’s discover the significance of the vibrant yellow colour during Basant Panchami and learn how to incorporate natural yellow tones into your delicious food preparation.
Why Yellow Colour is Important?
The colour yellow carries deep meaning in Hindu culture, symbolising joy, happiness, optimism, and prosperity. It is also connected to the vibrant mustard fields, which reach their peak beauty in the spring season. Basant Panchami is enthusiastically celebrated amidst the vibrant mustard fields, where the breathtaking sight of yellow flowers in full bloom fills the air with a feeling of freshness and life. In addition, the colour yellow holds great significance and is closely linked to Goddess Saraswati, the revered deity of knowledge, music, arts, and wisdom, who is worshipped with utmost devotion on this auspicious day. Embracing the colour yellow is said to attract the blessings of wisdom, creativity, and success to both oneself and one's surroundings.
Significance of Basant Panchami
Basant Panchami marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, symbolizing new beginnings, growth, and prosperity. It is a time to celebrate the beauty of nature's transformation, with blooming flowers, lush greenery, and the promise of abundant harvests ahead. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, whose blessings are sought by students, artists, and seekers of knowledge. Devotees pay homage to the goddess through prayers, offerings, and rituals, seeking her guidance and inspiration in their academic and creative pursuits. Basant Panchami also holds cultural significance, with communities coming together to fly kites, perform traditional dances, and enjoy festive feasts.
How To Infuse Natural Yellow Colour to Dishes
Turmeric
Turmeric is a versatile spice that not only adds flavour but also imparts a vibrant yellow colour to dishes. Incorporate turmeric into curries, rice dishes, soups, and marinades to infuse a rich golden hue. Additionally, turmeric can be used to make golden milk or turmeric latte, a soothing and nutritious beverage.
Saffron
Saffron, known as the "golden spice," is prized for its intense flavour and deep yellow colour. Infuse saffron strands in warm water, milk, or broth, and add it to rice dishes, desserts, beverages, and sauces for a rich touch. Saffron is often used in festive sweets like kheer, gulab jamun, and halwa to impart a rich golden hue and exquisite flavour.
Yellow Vegetables
Add naturally yellow vegetables like bell peppers, squash, corn, and yellow zucchini into your dishes to add colour, flavour, and nutrition. These vegetables can be used in salads, stir-fries, soups, casseroles, and side dishes to create vibrant and wholesome meals.
Fruits
Many fruits like mangoes, lemons, pineapples, and bananas are naturally yellow and can be used to add sweetness, tanginess, and colour to dishes. Use fresh or dried yellow fruits in desserts, smoothies, salads, salsas, and baked goods to enhance both the flavour and visual appeal of your creations.
Yellow Lentils
Yellow lentils, such as split yellow peas, mung dal, and toor dal, are commonly used in Indian cooking and impart a beautiful golden colour to dishes. Cook yellow lentils into dals, soups, stews, and curries, or grind them into flour to make flatbreads, pancakes, and savoury snacks.