Basant Panchami: the start of spring in Vrindavan

Basant Panchami is on the bright fifth of the month of Magha. The cold starts to ease and the mustard fields turn yellow. In many places Saraswati Puja is held.

In Braj the mood of Holi is said to begin from this day. In the temples the deity is dressed in yellow and the first touch of abir or gulal is offered. Many say the festive feeling then runs for roughly forty days.

At home, wear yellow, offer yellow flowers to the deity, and keep something yellow, like sweet saffron rice, on the plate. Many families also choose this day to begin a child's first lessons.