- Magha Shukla Panchami
- January or February
- Saraswati Puja
- Yellow clothes and sweets
Where it began
Vasant means spring and panchami means the fifth day. The day marks the start of the spring season, about forty days before Holi, when mustard fields turn bright yellow across north India.
Many families honour Saraswati on this day. Legend says she is the goddess of knowledge, speech, music and the arts, and students place their books, pens and instruments before her for blessing.
In some places the day is also linked with Kama, the god of love, and with the joy of spring. Poets and singers have long praised the season in songs called basant.
How it grew over time
Ancient times
Spring festivals and the worship of Saraswati, already praised in the Vedas as a river and a goddess of speech, grow side by side.
Medieval period
Basant songs and spring gatherings become part of music and poetry in north India.
Colonial era
Saraswati Puja grows into a big school and community festival in Bengal, with clay images in homes and schools.
Today
Schools, colleges and homes across India and Nepal hold Saraswati prayers, and kite flying fills the sky in parts of Punjab.
How it is celebrated in different places
West Bengal, Assam and Tripura
Saraswati Puja is a big day for students. Schools set up images of the goddess, and young people dress in yellow and white.
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
Families worship Saraswati, cook yellow sweets and rice, and start the spring season with songs.
Punjab
Basant is a festival of kites, with yellow clothes and rooftop fun.
Nepal
Schools and temples hold Saraswati prayers, and children begin their first lessons on this day.
Vasant Panchami moments
Vasant Panchami today
Families wear yellow, offer yellow flowers and sweets, and keep books and instruments near the goddess. Many young children write their first letters, a custom called Vidyarambham or Hate Khori.
