Vasant Panchami Festival, India
A Hindu festival that celebrates the preparation for spring, Basant Panchami or Vasant Panchami falls on Shukla Paksha (the fifth day of Magha's Shukla month) on the fifth of January and is devoted to Goddess Saraswati. The worshippers of Saraswati believe that without her the world would be shrouded in ignorance. She is believed to represent enlightenment. During a festival dedicated to Saraswati and celebrations of mustard flowers, the agricultural field ripens on this day. Saraswati is believed to be fond of the color yellow, so all celebrations incorporate it, be it in decorations or clothing. It is also believed that Vasant Panchami is the most auspicious day for getting married.
According to Hindu mythology, Brahma created the universe and was enamored with it, and wanted to see it with his own eyes. He thus set out to get to the other side of the planet but was disappointed at the loneliness and completes silence of everyone on Earth. Having given the issue a lot of thought, he came up with an idea and decided to sprinkle water into the air using his Kamandal. From a tree, an angel appeared holding a harp and asked for something to be played. Her voice filled the planet with music as Brahma asked her to do so that Earth would not be silent. She obliged, bless the people of the planet with her voice. Saraswati, or Veena Vadini (the harp player), became the goddess of speech, knowledge, music, and art, providing voice, intelligence, power, and glory. That angel is Goddess Saraswati.
The people wear yellow-colored clothing and eat yellow foods (like khichdi) on Vasant Panchami. It is believed that Saraswati's idols are adorned with yellow sarees since she is known to be fond of yellow. People wear yellow clothing too since yellow represents prosperity, optimism, energy, and everything positive.