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Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchami, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated across India, marking the arrival of spring. This vibrant celebration falls on the fifth day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month of Magha. This year, 2024, Basant Panchami will be observed on Wednesday, February 14th. While some regions commence festivities based on the start of Panchami Tithi on February 13th afternoon, for most, the entire day of February 14th is considered auspicious.
The festival is dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, and arts. Devotees offer prayers, seeking blessings for wisdom, creativity, and academic success. Homes and educational institutions are adorned with yellow flowers, symbolizing the vibrant hues of spring. Children take to the skies to fly colourful kites, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Date and Time
According to the Drik Panchang, Basant Panchami in 2024 will be celebrated starting at 2:41 pm on February 13th and concluding at 12:09 pm on February 14th.
Rituals
On this auspicious day, devotees wake up early to cleanse themselves, take a bath and observe fast throughout the day. Following this, they worship the idol of Goddess Saraswati, adorning her with flowers and garlands. Offerings of fruits and sweets are presented to the Goddess, and students place their books and instruments in the puja area to seek her blessings. After offering prayers, devotees break their fast by consuming prasad.
Significance of Food
Food plays a significant role in Basant Panchami celebrations, with various traditional delicacies prepared in yellow hues. Yellow symbolizes peace, prosperity, light, energy, and optimism, reflecting the essence of the festival. In regions like Bengal and Bihar, offerings to Goddess Saraswati include boondi and ladoo. Sweet rice infused with saffron and dry fruits is a common delicacy prepared in households across India on this auspicious occasion. These traditional foods not only delight the palate but also hold symbolic importance, representing the bounty and vibrancy of spring.
In addition to its cultural significance, Basant Panchami also holds agricultural importance, marking the beginning of the spring season in the Hindu calendar. It symbolizes renewal, new beginnings, and fertility, as Hindus welcome the warmer weather, blossoming flowers, and the return of life after the winter months.
Here’s a recipe for Meethey Chawal
Recipe
3 tablespoons Ghee or oil
1 teaspoon caraway seeds (shahi jeera)
2 to 3 green cardamoms
1 tej patta (indian bay leaf)
1.5 inches cinnamon
2 to 3 cloves
1 single, thin strand of mace
1.5 cups basmati rice
2 to 3 generous pinches saffron (kesar), not a chef's pinch but a pinch of the thumb and index finger
1 pinch turmeric – optional
3 to 3.25 cups water or as required
salt as required
2 to 3 tablespoons coriander leaves – chopped, or mint leaves for garnish – optional
Method:
Rinse the rice thoroughly for 3 to 4 times in water or until the water runs clear of starch.
Soak the rinsed rice in water for 20 to 30 minutes. Drain the water and set the rice aside.
Gather all the ingredients, measure them, and set them aside for easy access.
Crush the saffron strands with your fingers or in a mortar-pestle. Set aside.
Heat oil or ghee in a deep pan or pot. Lower the heat and add all the whole spices – caraway seeds, green cardamoms, cinnamon, cloves, tej patta, and mace strand. Fry for a few seconds until the spices crackle, ensuring they do not burn.
Add the soaked rice to the pan. Mix and stir gently for 1 to 2 minutes to coat the rice grains with the fat. Then add the crushed saffron strands and turmeric powder (if using). Mix gently.
Pour water into the pan and season with salt according to taste. Taste the water, ensuring it is slightly salty. Cover the pan tightly and let the rice cook until the grains become separately cooked and absorb all the water. Check the rice occasionally during cooking. If the water is simmering off too quickly, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Once done, fluff the rice gently with a fork.
Serve the Saffron Rice garnished with coriander or mint leaves, accompanied by any lentil or vegetable curry of your choice. Enjoy!
