Let's Go Fly a Kite

After some basic research I learned that this is going to be a difficult project. There is so much information out there. So much culture and history. America is such a young country compared to the world. To research something from on of the oldest religions is mind blowing.

Down to business.

Vasant Panchami is considered to be a rather minor holiday in the scheme of things. It is the beginning of the spring festival cycle, which builds up to the finale, Holi (which I will cover when that time arrives)

This holiday honors Kamadeva  (Hindu god of love) and his wife Rati, along with Vasant (the personification of spring). Modernly this holiday has associated with Maa Sarasvati, the Goddess of learning, wisdom, fine arts and science. She is honored in hopes to attain enlightenment through knowledge to rid themselves of lethargy, sluggishness and ignorance.



This sounds like we all need a little of this after the winter. Some sunlight and spring air always pulls me out of the sluggishness of winter.

Vasant Panchami falls on the 5th day of the bright half of the Indian month of Magh. Vasant means spring, and panchami means spring, therefore this is literally the 5th day of spring. In ancient times Kamadeva was the main honoree of the celebration. There were dancing girls and special clothing was work. They would wear pink and saffron colored saris and they would be embellished with red circles or squares, with silver and gold borders.
Today Kamadeva is still important and the theme of love is still there, and it is a popular day for weddings, much like St. Valentines day. Even so, the celebration revolves more around Sarasvati.


Temples built to honor Sarasvati are filled with food the night before so that the gifts can be enjoyed that morning. Temples, statues and schools are dressed in yellow. Schools have special prayers seeking the blessings of the goddess.
Yellow is considered an important color at this time due to the blooming of the mustard flowers, therefore those celebrating wear yellow, statues of Sarasvati are adorned in yellow and sweet saffron rice and yellow sweets are eaten.

Sometimes this is refered to as the festival of kites because many children fly kites to mark the occasion.


There are 40 days between Vasant Panchami and Holi.  (why is it always 40 days?) This was to represent that 40 days of the penance of Rati performed after her husband was reduced to ashes. During vasant panchami statues of Holika are placed in public areas. During these 40 days offerings of twigs and other flammable objects are made, and they are burned during Holi.


So this sounds kind of like our Memorial Day barbeques. I don't at all want to trivialize this holiday. But Memorial Day is America's beginning of the summer, break out the swimming pool, decorate the house, lets get together and have a cook out day of the year. Combine that with Valentines Day and I think I can understand a bit better. I love how everything in India and surrounding areas is so colorful. The saris are amazing. Even their rice is yellow with saffron. I can't imagine once you add the ornate decorations and the silver and gold along the edging of the sari and it's just above and beyond.



I wish we had seasonal holidays here in the US. The problem is this country, while there is religious freedom, was founded by deists, and is run primarily be Protestant Christians. Christianity through out all things nature to diversify and put distance between them and paganism. Also, it's a little early in the season to be celebrating spring here! I say this as is snowed yesterday lol.