It’s no secret that India is a land of many festivals. And in the long list of festive celebrations, a fair share are dedicated to celebrating nature and the change of seasons, like Vasant Panchami. First and foremost, it celebrates the arrival of Spring. However, certain regions in the country also take this day to honour Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of knowledge. Bengal, usually considered to have a greater proclivity for the arts, education, and learning, has a special Vasant Panchami celebration that seeps into its clothing, rituals, and even food.
From specific dishes to select flowers, there is a rhyme and reason behind every element that makes up the tradition of Sarawasti Puja or Vasant Panchami. The festival usually falls in late January or early February. As per Hindu traditions, 40 days after Vasant Panchami, Spring arrives in full force with the festival of Holi. The celebrations differ across regions, with Bengal focusing particularly on honouring Goddess Saraswati. From symbolically marrying the Hilsa fish to serving specific culinary delights, the Bengali Saraswati Puja is indeed a beautiful celebration.
Bengali Vasant Panchami is a vibrant celebration of spring, knowledge, and art, marked by wearing yellow (considered to be Goddess Saraswati’s favourite colour), performing puja (worship) and enjoying treats with “bhog” mixed in. The traditions that mark the celebration are:
The vibrant, Sattvik meal that makes up the Bengali bhog platter includes classics like khichuri, labra, bhaja, and chutneys. Here are the key components:
A unique tradition among West Bengalis (Ghotis) is the consumption of Gota Sheddho (whole boiled vegetables) the day after Saraswati Puja, on the occasion of Sheetal Shashthi. This dish is prepared on the night of the puja and eaten cold the next day, as it is a day of arandhan (no cooking, and the kitchen hearth remains unlit).
It consists of an odd number of whole, uncut seasonal vegetables (usually 5, 7, 9, or 11 types) boiled with entire black or green gram lentils and minimal or no spices, though some add a drizzle of raw mustard oil before eating. This practice is believed to have Ayurvedic benefits for health during the transition from winter to spring and is shared widely with neighbours and friends.
Coldplay may not have realised it, but their song Yellow could certainly sum up Saraswati Puja/Vasant Panchami in India. But, as the dishes and traditions show, it’s not just about painting the world or your plate yellow. It’s also about celebrating the changing seasons, respecting the forces of nature, and honouring the importance of education and the arts.