Basant Panchami, a festival widely celebrated throughout the Indian mainland, signifies the beginning of spring. The day is characterized by the prevalence of yellow, which can be observed in clothing, food, and other aspects of the celebration. In several regions of the country, Basant Panchami is recognized as the birth anniversary of Goddess Saraswati.

Let's take a moment on the propitious occasion of Basant Panchami to discover some of the lesser-known facts about Goddess Saraswati.

1. Saraswati Puja is observed during the Magha months of January and February, during which the goddess is revered by placing books near her statue or image. On this day, individuals abstain from reading books as a mark of respect.
2. In the ancient Vedas, she is known as Druga for her battle against Drug, a female demon.
3. The four arms of the goddess represent distinct aspects of the human persona, including learning, mind, intellect, alertness, and ego. These arms are also believed to reflect the four Vedas, namely Rigveda, Atharvaveda, Samaveda, and Yajurveda.
4. The goddess Saraswati is recognized for her role in guiding departed souls towards serenity in the afterlife. It is believed that the knowledge she imparts is a component of "divine knowledge" that leads to "Moksha."
5. It is common to witness honey being offered to the goddess, as it is symbolic of ideal knowledge and holds significant importance.
6. While the Rigveda recognizes Saraswati as a river, her significance as a river began to diminish in the post-Vedic era. Instead, she became associated with various forms of artistic expression, such as literature, music, and the arts. In Hinduism, Saraswati is a symbol of intelligence, consciousness, creativity, and education.
7. Not only Hindus but also individuals belonging to the Jain religion in Western and Central India revere Goddess Saraswati.
8. According to the Vedantas, she embodies the feminine energy and knowledge aspect of Brahma.
9. The goddess Saraswati is depicted holding different items in each of her four hands. A book is held in one hand, symbolizing her association with true knowledge. Another hand holds a crystal rosary, representing the power of meditation and spirituality. The musical instrument veena is held in her third hand, demonstrating her mastery of various art forms. The fourth hand holds a pot of sacred water, which is symbolic of her creative and purification abilities.
10. Saraswati is also linked to "anuraga," which refers to the affection and reverence for the musical rhythm used to convey emotions and sentiments.