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Home > Other Astrological Information > Events / Festivals > Sri Panchami
Sri Panchami is celebrated on the Sukla Paksha of Maghamasam. This day is the harbinger of the arrival of the king of the seasons. Lord Vishnu and Saraswati are worshipped on this day. On this occasion, the custom to wear yellow dresses and cook saffron rice in homes. The singing of the Holi and Dhamar strains begin from this day. Lord is offered oblations of stalks of wheat barely bearing golden grains of the new crop. Besides, Vishnu, Goddess Saraswati and Kamadev-Rati pair of love are also worshiped by the faithfuls.
According to texts, on the command of Lord Vishnu, Brahma created the entire universe and descended to earth. The place looked desolate to him with no sign of life anywhere. A silent sadness enveloped the entire scene. Brahma did not like it at all. From his bowl he took holy water and sprinkled around. As the water fell on the trees, a goddess power was born who had four hands. With two hands, she was playing on Veena, one hand held a book and the other a rosary. Brahma asked the deity to go on stumming until the gloom of sadness was not banished from the air. The strains of the Veena of the goddess gave voice to the tongues of the creatures. The goddess came to be known as Saraswati. She was the deity of wisdom and knowledge. In every faithful home Saraswati is worshiped on this day. Religious scholars advise that before Saraswati worship, a grail of water should be installed with due rites and Ganesh, Surya, Vishnu and Shiva worshiped.