IN India, there are six seasons—Vasant (Spring), Greeshma (Summer), Varshaa (Monsoon rainy), Sharad (Autumn), Shishir (Winter) and Hemant (Cold).
Among them, Vasant or the spring season is considered most joyous, auspicious, and productive, hence sacred.

Vasant Panchmi marks the commencement of the spring season. It falls on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the Hindu month, Maagha (January—February).
Our Indian ancestors have always been grateful and respectful to nature. At the beginning of the spring season, crops were planted and the entire village farmers would
come together and begin the season with prayers and rituals (Havan and Poojaa) in appreciation to God for the arrival of the season of joy. On this day having concluded
prayers and worship, all farmers would join in the planting of a symbolic plant, usually the same of what they grow. After that ceremony, they would begin planting their crops. At this happy time, the people were so grateful and equally happy that as they ushered the very productive season, they sung praises (called Chowtaal) to various aspects of the Divine.
This very observance was From Page 6 brought to Guyana and is celebrated every year. In Guyana, a plant is erected and prayers are offered to God for bountiful crops and
nutritious foods. A castor oil tree is normally planted. It’s a very sturdy and strong tree. It survives all conditions—rainy, sunny, hot and cold. More so, it is a bitter plant and thus difficult for animals, such as goats and cows to eat. “May our crops grow strong and flourish as this tree”, is the prayer of farmers.