Vasant Panchami


Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season and falls on the fifth day of spring (Maagh). Also known and celebrated as Saraswati Puja.

This festival is celebrated at the beginning of the Spring season, when vibrant yellow flowers in the mustard fields are blooming, creating a joyous atmosphere everywhere. In Braj, from the time of Vasant Panchmi, devotees begin to sing Holi songs in the Temples. Shri Maharaj Ji dresses up in lovely yellow garments. Devotees chant special Holi songs, dance in spiritual happiness and play Holi of flower petals throwing them on each other, and Shri Maharajji showers his Grace by throwing flowers on them.

“Pad Kirtans” sung during this season usually recount how the exasperated gopies, took their sweet revenge on Shri Krishna and his friends. Tired of being teased and harassed by Shri Krishna and his friends, the gopies decided to retaliate by pelting the darling of Braj with cow-dung, mud, dyes made out of local flowers, vermilion powder etc. If an unfortunate Gopa (Shri Krishna's mate) happened to be caught by the gopies, he was  forcefully dressed in female attire and made to dance amidst them. Needless to say, Shri Krishna survived several close calls, and made fools of the gopies on a number of occasions. Not to be outdone, the gopies gave as good as they got.

The various leelas of Shri Krishna in the time of spring are truly blissful our beloved Gurudev, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj has written many “Pad Kirtans” depicting the lovely Leela (plays) of our Divine Beloved Shri Radhakrishna.

As per the Ramayan, this day Lord Rama ate half tasted grapes of Shabari and to commemorate this day, the festival of Vasant Panchami is celebrated.

Wishing all of you a blessed Vasant Panchami, may the Joy of Spring blossom in your hearts and grow in to Divine Love for your beloved RadhaKrishna.


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