Global Hindu Heritage Foundation is very happy to see that our Bala Samskar Kendras across Bharat have celebrated Vasant Panchami by participating in the worship f Goddess Saraswati. Many teachers put the picture of Saraswati Maa and prayed by reciting the Saraswati mantra followed by offering flowers to the Goddess. All the students went in line and offered flowers and prayed. 
Vasant Panchami is an important Hindu festival. It is celebrated on the first day of spring, which is the fifth day of the month of Magha. Basant Panchami also heralds the start of preparations for Holi, which begins forty days after Basant Panchami. Mustard flowers bloom in India during Basant Panchami. Thus, the festival is associated with yellow. The festival honors the Goddess Saraswati, who is the symbol of knowledge, learning, creativity, intelligence, and music. 
Hence, parents must teach the significance of Saraswati pooja to kids and its cultural importance. The history of Saraswati pooja goes back to the ancient times when sages used to pray to get the blessings of Maa Saraswati – marking the arrival of Basant Ritu – the spring festival.
History of Saraswati Pooja
Saraswati is depicted as a beautiful woman dressed in white and seated on a lotus adorned with a mala of crystals alongside a flowing body of water. With a Veena in her hand and a pot of water beside her, she is portrayed with a swan as her carrier. All these traits represent true knowledge and wisdom through which peace and harmony are attained.
The worship of Goddess Saraswati can be traced back to the Vedic era when she was considered a river goddess associated with fertility and nourishment. Hence the significance of Saraswati Puja for kids is a well-established concept in Indian tradition. It was believed that the river Saraswati, which was supposed to be the cradle of civilization in ancient India, provided the people with nutrition, knowledge, and wisdom. Later, in the Puranas (ancient Hindu texts), Saraswati was elevated to the status of a goddess and was associated with learning, knowledge, and wisdom – enhancing the importance of Basant Panchmi.
Importance of Basant Panchmi
According to Hindu mythology, Basant Panchami is also associated with the love story of Kamadeva, the god of love, and his wife, Rati. It is said that in an urge to help Parvati, Kamadev tried to shoot Shiva with his arrow made of flowers and tipped it with honey at Lord Shiva, hoping to ignite the flames of desire in his heart. This made Lord Shiva angry; he opened his third eye and turned Kamadev into ashes. Rati pleaded with the gods to bring her husband back to life. Her devotion moved the gods and granted her wish on Basant Panchami. This story symbolizes the power of love and the importance of Basant Panchmi. In another version of the story, it is the same day Lord Bharma created the Goddess, Saraswati. Hence, it is celebrated as her birthday – telling us the significance of Saraswati Puja for kids on Basant Panchmi.
Importance of Saraswati Pooja:
1.    To seek blessings from the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge:
It is believed that worshiping the Goddess on this day can help one better understand various subjects and enhance one’s intellectual abilities.
2.    To promote the history of Saraswati Puja and cultural values in the coming generations:
Saraswati Puja promotes cultural values. It also signifies the importance of education, music, and the arts. Hence, Basant Panjami is celebrated in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions to encourage students towards education and arts.
3.    It also marks the beginning of spring:
Basant Panchami is celebrated around February or March – relating the history of Saraswati Puja on this day from hundreds of decades.
Saraswati Beej Mantra
Beej mantra is the phrase that is used to worship Goddess Saraswati. Students can recite these mantras daily to seek Goddess Saraswati’s blessings. The mantra is:
Saraswati Namastubhyam Varade Kaamarupini
Vidyaarambham Karishyaami Siddhirbhavatu Me Sadaa.
Translation: “O Goddess Saraswati, my humble obeisance to you, the bestower of boons, and the one who takes various forms to fulfill the wishes of your devotees. I am going to start my studies now. Please bless me with success and enlightenment always.”
Benefits of Performing Saraswati Puja
1)    Goddess Saraswati blesses us with knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
2)    It helps the students achieve academic success.
3)    It helps students to acquire artistic ability, and creativity.
4)    It removes obstacles that may hinder progress in one’s life.
5)    It improves memory and concentration.
6)    It helps purify the mind, body, and soul and leads to spiritual growth.
7)    It removes the lethargic nature making one active and energetic.
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