The day my city dresses in Yellow!

Vasant Panchami is celebrated in the honor of Goddess Saraswati, when people wear the colour of Vasant- Yellow. But did you know that Vasant Panchami is more than just a festival of worshipping Saraswati? It is a symbol of communal harmony.

Vasant Panchami Celebrations at Hazrat Nizamuddin Darga, source: TOI

Vasant Panchami is celebrated in honor of the Hindu Goddess Saraswati on the occasion of the arrival of Spring. On this day, people wear the colour of Vasant (spring) - Yellow. While many of us already may be aware of this festival, it is interesting to note that this is also the festival that promotes communal harmony.

How did Vasant Panchami become the symbol of Communal Harmony?

Though it is a Hindu festival, it is also celebrated in the Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin. The Dargah and the visitors there, all dressed up in yellow. With yellow spring flowers.

How did the celebration reach Dargah?

Nizamuddin Auliya, the saint after whom the Dargah is named had no heir. However, his sister did. Saint Auliya used to be close to his sister’s son, whose death turned the saint into an immensely saddened person.

Hazrat Amir Khusrau who was saint Auliya’s pupil was deeply worried and wished to see the saint smiling.

On one of the spring days, he saw some women wearing sarees and carrying yellow mustard flowers. The bright yellow scene made him happy. As he approached the women, he was told that the women were going to the temple to offer flowers to the Goddess on the occasion of Vasant Panchami.

Khusrau asked whether this act will make their God happy. Receiving a positive response, he dressed up in a yellow saree, carried mustard flowers, and sang a spring song to Saint Auliya.

Saint Auliya was amused to see his favourite disciple dress like that and he immediately broke into a smile. Since then, the festival was celebrated at Dargah.

This legend is narrated by Altamash Nizami, a direct descendant of Saint Auliya.

Celebration of Vasant Panchami at Dargah

Not only do the visitors dress in Yellow. Yellow flowers are also offered at the Dargah. The Qawwals also dress in Yellow and sing:

*Aaj basant manaley suhangan

Aaj basant manaley

Anjan manjan karpiya

Lambay neher la gaaye

Tukya sovay neend maasi

So jaagay teray bhaag, suhagan

Aaj basant manala*

Tr. Rejoice, oh loved one, rejoice,

Spring is here, rejoice.

Don your make-up, put kohl on your eyes,

Braid your long tresses,

Oh, wake up from your sleep,

Your destiny too has woken up

It's spring here, rejoice.

The celebration has now become an annual festival, attended by many at Delhi’s Dargah, every year. This celebration does promote brotherhood and harmony- the true values of India.

Qawwals dressed in Yellow, source: MIG