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Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja Recipes

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Basant Panchami/Saraswati Puja, the auspicious and vibrant Hindu festival celebrating the coming of spring and birth of Goddess Saraswati.

Learn more about the significance, celebrations and the recipes that we can make for Basant Panchami.

Though festival is celebrated all throughout India in different states with different names. This post mainly covers how it is celebrated in North Indian states.

Table of Contents

What is Basant Panchami and when it is celebrated

Vasant Panchami is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the bright half of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Magha, which typically falls in late January or February. The festival commences forty days before the Spring festival HOLI. (It is generally winter-like in northern India, and more spring-like in central and western parts of India on Vasant Panchami, which gives credence to the fact that Spring is actually in full bloom 40 days after the Vasant Panchami day). SOURCE ONLINE

On this day Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge is also worshipped and the day is also known as Saraswati Pooja.

This year 2024, Basant Panchami will be celebrated on the 14th February.

Significance of Yellow Color on Basant Panchami

Yellow color that signifies vitality, strength, sunlight and happiness is the color of Basant Panchami.

Wearing yellow color clothes and having yellow color dishes especially made with rice, is considered auspicious on this day.

Turmeric and Saffron are considered auspicious and are added to various sweet and savory dishes.

Yellow colored flowers like marigold(represents are offered to Maa Saraswati and the entrances are also adorned with marigold and mango leaves.

In North India, the sight of fields adorned with mustard flowers adds to the festive feel, as nature herself joins in the celebrations of Basant Panchami.

Saraswati Puja/Pooja

On this auspicious day people in West Bengal and those in field of education, art, music, students pray Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge and seek her blessings. It is believed that worshipping Maa Saraswati on this day takes us towards a bright future and blesses us with knowledge and bright future.

On this day various cultural events are organised at different places like education institutes (schools, colleges and universities). Students and other members patriciate in these cultural events and also perform SARASWATI VANDANA.

Beliefs and stories related to Basant Panchami and Saraswati Pooja

There are many mythological stories related to why we celebrate Basant Panchami.

The popular ones are that on this day Maa Saraswati was incarnated on this day. During that time there was yellow, red and blue aura in the universe and yellow aura was first seen.

Another is that Brahma created universe on this auspicious day.

According to other popular Hindu beliefs, this celestial alignment marks the onset of warmer temperatures and longer days, paving the way for agricultural activities and the rejuvenation of nature after the winter months.

Basant Panchami serves as a reminder of the cyclical and temporary nature of life and seasons. It encourages introspection and spiritual growth, prompting individuals to shed the darkness of ignorance and embrace the light of knowledge and wisdom.

Basant Panchami Recipes

Yellow colored food with turmeric and saffron, rice dishes (sweet and savoury) are traditionally made on this day.

Here are few of the popular recipes that you can make on this auspicious day.

Meethe Chawal
Basant Panchami Special, Meethe Chawal/Gur wale Chawal is a delicious rice preparation from North India, prepared in desi ghee and jaggery, colored with saffron and turmeric, flavored with spices like cardamom, with lots of nuts. 
Check out this recipe
Moong Dal Halwa
Learn how to make traditional Moong Dal Halwa with split moong lentils, loads of ghee and nuts.
Check out this recipe
Moong Dal Halwa recipe
Chawal Ki Kheer | Rice Kheer
Traditional Indian Dessert Chawal Ki Kheer or Rice Kheer for auspicious occasions and festivals. Learn how to make the traditional way in open pot stove-top.
Check out this recipe
Chawal ki Kheer
Panchamrit/Charanamrit
Panchamrit Recipe | How to make Panchamrit for Prasad | Ayurvedic Panchamrit Recipe for festivals and pregnant women
Check out this recipe
Panchamrit
Zarda Rice
Zarda Pulao, a sweet rice preparation with nuts and raisins and flavoured with saffron and orange candied peels. Learn how to make Zarda Rice. 
Besan Badam Ladoos
Roasted Chickpeas and Almonds Ladoos made in desi ghee, specially made during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Deepawali. Also, a perfect winter snack to nourish the body or anytime sweet treat that can be enjoyed in moderation.
Check out this recipe
Besan Ke Ladoo
Kesariya Malai Rabdi
Kesariya Mali Rabdi, creamy rich Rabdi recipe with chunks of thickened milk flavored with saffron milk and cardamom powder. Make Kesariya Malai Rabdi with traditonal method by simmering milk until thickened to creamy consistency. No condensed milk, no cornflour, no bread Rabdi Recipe.
Check out this recipe
Puran Poli
Maharashtrian Style Puran Poli Recipe.
Check out this recipe
Puran Poli Recipe with Whole Wheat Flour
Kesar Badam Milk
Healthy and delicous Kesar Badam Milk or Indian Almond Milk with saffron is a refreshing healthy beverage for both kids and adults. Serve it chilled in summers or hot in winters. it is refreshes and revitalizes the body and provides energy.
Check out this recipe
Kesar badam Doodh Recipe
Vegetable Tahri/Subz Tehri (Pressure Cooker Method)
Tehri or Tahri call it by any name, is a one pot meal made with rice and vegetables cooked in aromatice Indian whole spices with desi ghee/mustard oil. Serve with raita, pickle or chutney or even plain yogurt. Stove-Top Method of making Mixed Vegetable Tehri.
Check out this recipe
Vegetable Tehri recipe
Aloo Matar Ki Tehri(Instant Pot Method)
Tehri or Tahri call it by any name, is a one pot meal made with rice and vegetables cooked in aromatice Indian whole spices with desi ghee/mustard oil. Serve with raita, pickle or chutney or even plain yogurt. Instant Pot Method of making Aloo Matar Ki Tehri.
Check out this recipe
Aloo Matar Ki Tehri
Choliya Pulao
Winter Special Choliya Pulao Recipe | Learn how to make Green Chana Pulao (Pressure Cooker Recipe)
Check out this recipe
Green Chickpeas Pulao/Hara Chana Pulao
Mixed Vegetable Masala Khichdi
Mixed Vegetable Mixed Khichdi recipe | One Pot Meal, Gluten-free Khichdi recipe for comforting light meal and for auspicious occasion like Makar Sankranti
Check out this recipe
ix Vegetables Khichdi
Yellow Moong Dal Khichdi
Yellow Moong Dal Khichdi/Peeli Moong Dal Khichdi, a one pot simple meal with split yellow moong beans and rice. Creamy, soft, light on stomach with detoxifying properties!!
Check out this recipe
Yellow Moong Dal Khichdi Recipe
Chana Dal Khichdi
Chana Dal Khichdi a protein rich delicious meal made with Chana Dal and Rice in Indian Spices. A quick one pot meal. Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker method.
Check out this recipe
Chana Dal Kichdi
Gatte Ka Pulao
Gatte Ka Pulao, A spicy rice preparation made with steamed and fried besan/chickpea flour dumpling with aromatic Indian spices. Famous Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao Recipe.
Check out this recipe
Gatte Ka Pulao
Lemon Rice
Bursting with the flavours of lemon and curry leaves, here I bring you the Lemon Rice Recipe. One of the most easy to make and flavourful rice. A no-onion no-garlic dish that is gluten-free and suitable for vegans.
Check out this recipe
Zafrani Pulao/ Indian Saffron Rice
Aromatic and Flavored with
Check out this recipe
Zafrani Pulao/ Indian Saffron Pulao
Kadhi Pakodi/Pakora
Kadhi Pakodi recipe from Uttar Pradesh, Instant Pot and Stove-top recipe included. How to make delicious Kadhi a yogurt based soup recipe with (pakodi) chickpea fritters.  
Check out this recipe
Chatpate Kale Chane
A spicy and Tangy curry of Black Chickpeas/Kala Chana, cooked in yogurt and chickpea flour gravy!!
Check out this recipe
Papad Ki Subzi
Check out this recipe
Papad ki Subzi
Boondi Raita
How to make Boondi Raita
Check out this recipe
Boondi Raita
Sookhi Urad Dal
Sookhi Urad Dal, dry preparation of Split Bengal Gram Lentils in Indian Spices| Learn how to make Sookhi Urad Dal
Check out this recipe
Sookhi Urad Dal
Avial Recipe
Avial, recipe from Kerala cuisine and neighboring states, it is an integral part of the Sadhya feast and many other festivities. No festival in Kerala and many other South Indian states is complete without Avial.
Check out this recipe
Avial
Poha Chivda
Roasted Sweet and Spicy Chivda, a dry snack recipe made with thin Poha (rice flakes), dry fruits and nuts. It is a popular breakfast and tea time snack option and also a popular travel food and made during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Holi.
Check out this recipe
Low Oil Poha Chivda Recipe
Poha/Pohe
Popular breakfast Item made with flattened rice flakes, easy to cook, nutritious and light.. Poha make it the way I make, Khatta Meetha and spicy Poha. 
Check out this recipe
Poha
Moonglet Recipe
High protein Moonglet recipe with moong dal and vegetables. Nutritious, filling and fluffy savoury Indian Pancake recipe, you can call it a Vegan Omelette made with Moong lentils..
Check out this recipe
Moonglet recipe/How to make Moonglet/Vegan Omelette
Besan Chilla
Spiced Chickpea flour/besan crepes or pancakes . Easy and quick vegan, gluten-free recipe.
Check out this recipe
Instant Khaman Dhokla
Instant Khaman Dhokla recipe. Steamed, savory, soft melt in mouth Chickpea Cake (Dhokla) prepared instantly without any fermentation.
Check out this recipe
Missi Roti Recipe
Missi Roti is a popular Indian bread from Punjab and Rajasthan. It is also prepared in many parts of Western U.P. Make the popular Missi Roti Recipe at home with (besan) gram flour/chickpea flour.
Check out this recipe
Missi Roti

More recipe collections for festivals

Diwali recipes, Holi recipes, Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes, No onion No Garlic Recipes, Traditional indian sweets

Basant Panchami Recipe Collection

Basant Panchami Recipe Collection

Swati
Significance of Basant Panchami and how to celebrate, the recipes related to Basant Panchami
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Do try these delicious recipes for the auspicious day. You can skip onion and garlic from the rice /curries if you want no onion no garlic recipes.

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