Vasant Panchami, also spelled Basant Panchami, is a festival that marks the preliminary preparations for the arrival of spring, celebrated by people in various ways depending upon the region in the Indian subcontinent.
Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season. In eastern parts of India, particularly in West Bengal, it is celebrated as Saraswati Puja. Sates of Punjab and Bihar, celebrate it as a festival of kites. However, during the ancient times, the festival was celebrated in the royal palace of Kamadeva. Dancing celebrants dance on the beats of dhol. New clothes are designed and bought to participate in the celebrations. The day was marked by singing love songs.
Vasant Panchami welcomes spring, people dress in yellow to mark flowering mustard fields :
Goddess Saraswati dressed in yellow sari on Vasant Panchami, Kolkata. She sits in a swing, holding a Veena, with books in one corner.
