What is the Significance of Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Puja?

As the energy of spring starts to unfold, we approach Vasant Panchami; a day of spiritual, intellectual, and vibrational significance. This auspicious occasion marks the advent of Spring season and serves as a pivotal moment for those who wish to harmonize their spiritual energy. Vasant Panchami serves as a powerful window for you to invoke Vidya (true knowledge).

A Tribute to the Goddess of Wisdom, Art and Music

Bhagawati Saraswati is the deity of divine knowledge, intellect, learning, creativity, arts, consciousness and eloquence. It is celebrated on the Magha month of the Shukla Panchami (5^th day of the fortnight following the new moon during Spring) and is also known as Vasant Panchami. As Devi Saraswati is associated with knowledge and learning, this day is celebrated by students and teachers across the country with much gaiety and fervor. The youth, especially the students, offer ‘Puja’ to the Devi and invoke her blessings in order to gain true knowledge and become successful in their academic field. Musicians and artists too, show their reverence to goddess Saraswati and seek her blessings as she is considered to be the patron deity of music and arts. Let us know about the essence of this festival and the importance of Devi Saraswati in Indian mythology.

White Basanti: the Favourite Hue of Ma Saraswati

As Devi Saraswati is associated with white colour and represents Sattwaguna, all the things offered, as a part of ritual, to the goddess should also be white or light yellow (Basanti) in colour.

Puja Rituals:

According to the Hindu calendar, the Panchami of Shuklapaksha of the Magh month is the day designated for worshipping Devi Saraswati. Vasant Panchami is considered as the birthday of this powerful deity. Therefore, this day is also known as Vagishwari Jayanti or Shreepanchami. On this day, people follow rituals and worship goddess Saraswati with all their devotion. Apart from this particular day, goddess Saraswati is also invoked on the day when young children are introduced to the world of learning and commence their formal academic life. In fact, Saraswati Puja, Akshay Trithiya and Vijaya Dashami have a unique significance. These three days are considered extremely favourable for commencing any work or for any auspicious event to be held.

It is believed that Devi Saraswati also resides in all the objects related to study, music and art such as pen, notebooks, pencils, musical instruments and art tools and hence these should be kept at the feet of the idol and worshipped on the day of the festival. After the ‘Puja’ is over, the ‘Bhog’ or the food offered to the deity should be taken as ‘Prasad’. Either of these mantras should be resituated for maximum of benefit:

A Traditional Day for the Students:

Young boys and girls dressed in traditional clothes actively participate in the rituals of the festival and offer ‘pushpanjali’ (an offering of flowers along with mantras to the deity). They seek blessings from the deity to empower them with knowledge and help them realize their innate talents. Saraswati Puja is celebrated with the same zeal and spirit at home as in educational institutions. In many schools and colleges, students not only organize the ‘puja’ but also a cultural event in which all the students participate and showcase their talents. After the event, it is time for eating ‘Prasad’ of piping hot ‘Khichdi’.

Welcome “Rituraj Vasant” for Love and Happiness

A Special Festive Occasion for Young Women:

Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of a season of love, happiness and colours- the Spring season. According to the Hindu tradition, there is also a ritual to offer prayers to the god of love, Kamdev and his consort Rati on this day. Married women worship the deity praying for a happy and enjoyable married life. The devotee creates an astadal image (an eight petalled image) with akshat (unbroken rice) and keeps a pot filled with water on it. After installing the pot, Lord Ganesha is invoked at first and then prayers are offered to Lord Kamdev and Goddess Rati. On this day lord Vishnu and goddess Saraswati are also worshipped. This festival has special significance in lord Krishnas ‘Braj Bhumi’ where this occasion is celebrated with grandeur. As part of the ritual, yellow coloured flowers, fruits and sweets are offered to the deity on this auspicious day. 

Syawam Siddha Muhurtha for all purposes:

As Vasant Panchami is “ Swayam Siddha muhurtha” all the important Sanskars may be celebrated on this auspicious day. Due to this very reason many engagements, marriages and house warming ceremonies’ take place all over the country on this “Anboogh” Muhurtha.  

Essence of Saraswati Puja in Vasant Panchami

Saraswati puja brings with it a message that we should give up despair, inactivity and participate in the true celebration of life. It inspires us to make an effort to gather knowledge, spread happiness and work persistently in achieving our goal.     

The epitome of grace and beauty known as Saraswati who is dressed in white, yellow with four hands, riding on a swan or seated on a lotus fills the lives of her devotees with unlimited wealth- the wealth of knowledge. Without this wealth, even a rich person can turn a pauper within no time. This year, Saraswati pooja falls on Friday, 23rd February 2026.