Law Notify : Basant Panchami was celebrated across India on Sunday with religious fervour, cultural traditions and heightened administrative preparedness, marking the arrival of spring and the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and wisdom.
In Uttar Pradesh, the festive mood was especially visible in Mathura and Vrindavan, where the 40-day-long Holi Utsav formally began on the occasion of Basant Panchami. Devotees gathered at Krishna temples to participate in traditional rituals, symbolically playing Holi with Lord Krishna as the season-long celebrations commenced. In Varanasi, the traditional Tilkotsav of Baba Vishwanath was observed with customary devotion.
At Prayagraj, lakhs of pilgrims thronged the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, from early morning to take the holy dip on Basant Panchami. The occasion is considered one of the most significant bathing days of the Magh Mela, drawing devotees from across the country.
The day was also marked as Saraswati Puja nationwide, with special programmes organised in schools, colleges and educational institutions. Students and teachers offered prayers seeking wisdom, learning and creativity, reinforcing Basant Panchami’s close association with education and the arts.
In Madhya Pradesh, Basant Panchami was celebrated with equal devotion and administrative vigilance. Special rituals were held at major religious and historical sites across the state. At the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, elaborate ceremonies were performed during the Bhasma Aarti, including abhishek with saffron-infused Panchamrit and offerings of yellow clothes, flowers and sweets, symbolising prosperity and the spring season.
The historic Saraswati Temple at Ajaigarh in Panna district witnessed large gatherings of devotees from Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states. Special prayers, havan, kanya bhoj and distribution of prasad were organised as part of the celebrations.
Meanwhile, tight security arrangements were put in place at the historic Bhojshala in Dhar district. Acting on directions of the Supreme Court, the Bhojshala परिसर and the entire Dhar city were placed on high alert. A heavy police deployment, along with executive magistrates, quick response teams and mobile patrol units, ensured strict monitoring. Surveillance through drones and CCTV cameras was intensified, and the Bhojshala area was declared a no-fly zone. The district administration appealed to citizens to maintain peace, ignore rumours and cooperate with authorities, warning that strict action would be taken against any attempt to disturb harmony.
Across the country, Basant Panchami was observed as a festival of renewal, learning and optimism. As winter gives way to spring, the celebrations reflected both spiritual devotion and a collective emphasis on peace, order and communal harmony.
