India, Feb. 3 -- Basant Panchami heralds the spring season. It is the fifth day of 'Shukla Paksha' in the lunar month of 'Magha'. Traditionally, it is the birthday of Saraswati Devi. This is when the chill of winter starts to ebb away.

The spring symbolises new beginnings, development and growth with new saplings germinating. The entire landscape, each plant, tree, shrub, creeper and climber, dresses at its colourful best. The greens are greener; the reds are redder! Each plant grows its most beautiful flowers and foliage, because spring is in the air. The seniors stretch their limbs saying

'aaya basant, paala udant." (the spring season is here and the winter chill has flown away.)

The feminine aspect of divinity is revered in three fo...