PANCHAMI, lit. the fifth day of either phase {vadior sudi) of the moon. Panchami of the sudi, i.e. the brighter, phase is considered an auspicious day in the Hindu tradition, with some ritualistic observances attached to it. In the three Sikh hymns entitled Thitin/ Thiti devoted to the lunar days of the month, the point commonly made in verses on Panchami is that the people are too engrossed in the worldy pursuits to take to remembrance of the Divine which alone can bring real joy and bliss.Guru Nanak says that people are mad about the world and the creation made up of the five elements, and fail to understand the Incomprehensible Unattached Being.
Guru Arjan has affirmed that those saints are really great who understand the reality of the five elements and, thus, get rid of the five lusts. Men are exhorted in all the three compositions to observe Panchami not by performing any rituals but by living unattached in the material world and by being devoted to the Name. By custom, however, Panchami, particularly of the bright phase, is observed in some of the gurudwaras when special divans take place. Devotees forgather from distant places to offer homage and make ablutions in the holy tanks.
The Basant Panchami (fifth day of the bright phase of the moon in the month of Magh) falling in late January or early February is marked by special celebrations, especially at the historical Gurdwara at Chheharta, about three miles from Amritsar, and at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, in Patiala. On that day women generally dressed in yellow garments and men wearing yellowcoloured turbans join the festival. In Lahore, a largelyattended fair used to be held until the partition of 1947 at the Samadhi of Haqiqat Rai, the martyr, who was executed on the Basant Panchami day in AD 1734.
T.S.
In Hindu mythology, Panchami refers to the fifth day of the lunar fortnight in the Hindu calendar. It holds significant spiritual and cultural importance, with various festivals and rituals observed on this day. The most notable among them is Nag Panchami, dedicated to the worship of serpents (Nagas), which carries deep mythological and symbolic meanings.
Key Aspects of Panchami in Hindu Mythology:
Nag Panchami:
- Celebrated on the fifth day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Shravan (July-August), Nag Panchami is dedicated to the worship of Nagas (serpent deities).
- Serpents are revered as protectors of treasures, guardians of water bodies, and symbols of fertility and cosmic balance. They are also associated with Kundalini energy, representing spiritual awakening and transformation.
- Rituals include offering milk, flowers, and prayers to snake idols or live snakes to seek their blessings and protection.
Symbolism of Serpents:
- In Hindu mythology, serpents symbolize both creation and destruction, embodying the cyclical nature of life. They are closely linked to water, fertility, and immortality.
- Prominent Nagas like Shesha, Vasuki, and Takshaka play significant roles in myths, such as the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) and the Mahabharata.
Other Panchami Observances:
- Rishi Panchami: Observed on the fifth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada, this day is dedicated to honoring the Saptarishis (seven great sages). It emphasizes purification and penance, particularly for women.
- Basant Panchami: Celebrated in the month of Magha, this day marks the arrival of spring and is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, arts, and wisdom.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance:
- Panchami days are considered auspicious for spiritual practices, rituals, and seeking blessings for prosperity and protection.
- They highlight the interconnectedness of nature, divinity, and human life, encouraging harmony and gratitude.
Panchami observances reflect the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology, blending devotion, symbolism, and cultural traditions.
