As 'Diwali' – the festival of light – is to Lakshmi<http://hinduism.about.com/od/hindugoddesses/p/lakshmi.htm>, goddess of wealth and prosperity, and 'Navaratri' is to Durga<http://hinduism.about.com/od/hindugoddesses/a/durga.htm>, goddess of power and valor, Vasant Panchami is to Saraswati<http://hinduism.about.com/od/hindugoddesses/p/saraswati.htm>, the goddess of knowledge and arts. This festival is celebrated every year on the 5th day or ‘Panchami’ of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of *Magha*, which falls during January-February, ‘Vasant’ comes from the word ‘spring’ as this festival heralds the beginning of the spring season.
[image: sarasvati.jpg] सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि । विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥ saraswati namastubhyaM varade kAmarUpiNi | vidyArambhaM kariShyAmi, siddhirbhavatu me sadA || O *saraswatI*, salutations for you, O Giver of boons, O Giver of form to desire, I am going to start studying, may success be mine, always. -- *ever LAF cheenu@hyderabad** **========================== எல்லோரும் இன்புற்றிருக்க நினைப்பவதுவே அல்லாமல் வேறொன்று அறியேன் பராபரமே ! Ellorum Inbutrirukka Ninaippathuve Allaamal Verondru Ariyen Paraparame ! [Excepting to think and act for the well being of all beings, I don’t know anything else !*]
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