Why Basant Panchami Is Traditionally Celebrated With Yellow Food

Basant Panchami heralds the arrival of spring, a season associated with renewal, knowledge, and nurturing. The festival is celebrated across India with the worship of Goddess Saraswati, and it is customary

for people to wear yellow garments and prepare yellow foods. This tradition, however, goes far beyond ritual. It reflects deep-rooted seasonal wisdom, linking nutrition, digestion, mental clarity, and overall well-being. The consumption of yellow foods on Basant Panchami represents an intuitive understanding of health that aligns the body and mind with nature’s rhythms.

Dr Pratayksha Bhardwaj, Dietician and Weight Management Specialist, shares insights on why yellow foods hold such significance during this festival.

Seasonal Nutrition of Yellow Foods

Many yellow foods traditionally consumed during Basant Panchami such as turmeric, moong dal, pumpkin, corn, bananas, saffron, and citrus fruits are naturally suited to the body’s needs at this time of year.

After winter, food intake tends to be heavier while digestion remains relatively sluggish. Yellow foods are generally light, easy to digest, and help stimulate digestive fire without placing strain on the body. Moong dal khichdi, for example, is simple yet highly nutritious. Turmeric supports digestion by reducing gut inflammation, making it an ideal spice during the lingering cold and flu season.

These dietary practices are not coincidental. Indian culinary traditions evolved in close harmony with climate patterns and physiological changes experienced during seasonal transitions.

Improved Immunity and Reduced Seasonal Stress

Seasonal shifts often bring colds, allergies, fatigue, and inflammation. Yellow foods provide immune support as they are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Turmeric contains curcumin, known for its immunomodulatory properties, while citrus fruits are excellent sources of vitamin C. Saffron, commonly added to festive sweets, is believed to uplift mood and support cognitive function. Together, these foods help strengthen the body’s resistance as it moves from winter into spring.

Yellow Foods and the Mind–Body Connection

Gut-friendly foods also play a crucial role in mental health. Ingredients such as bananas, maize, and lentils provide vitamin B6 and complex carbohydrates, which help regulate neurotransmitters responsible for focus, mood, and emotional balance.

In Ayurveda, yellow foods are considered predominantly sattvic, promoting calmness, clarity of thought, and inner balance. Consuming these foods on a day dedicated to knowledge reinforces the idea that nurturing the mind begins with nourishing the body.

Skin, Energy, and Spring Detox

Spring is a natural period of detoxification for the body. Yellow foods like pumpkin, turmeric, and seasonal fruits support liver function and antioxidant activity, often resulting in improved skin health and increased energy levels.

Traditional cooking methods frequently pair yellow spices with healthy fats such as ghee. This combination enhances the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients and provides sustained energy, another example of functional food being seamlessly integrated into festive meals.

Tradition Backed by Science

While modern lifestyles often separate culture from health, Indian festivals such as Basant Panchami offer a holistic approach to well-being. The tradition of eating yellow foods is not merely symbolic; it aligns diet with seasonal changes, biological needs, and mental well-being.

Basant Panchami’s yellow foods celebrate more than the arrival of spring, they celebrate balance. By embracing these traditional dietary practices, we honour centuries of wisdom that recognised food as medicine. In doing so, we nourish not only the body but also the mind and spirit, which is precisely what the festival represents.