Saraswati Puja is considered one of the most auspicious days to worship Maa Saraswati. In Hinduism, she is the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and art. The occasion also marks the end of the harsh winter and the beginning of the spring season. Devotees flock to temples and pandals to celebrate this special day. Here is a complete guide on what the Saraswati Puja is about, where you can celebrate it in 2026, which pandals to visit and what sweet offerings you can offer to Maa.
What Saraswati Puja Means
Saraswati Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals, where you pray to Maa Saraswati. The day, which is celebrated on Vasant Panchami, signals a fresh start, new chapters in life and leaving all negative memories behind. Devotees celebrate this day with prayers and many rituals so that Maa Saraswati blesses them with happiness and prosperity.
Saraswati Puja 2026: Date & Time
Here is the date and timings of Saraswati Puja for this year:
- Panchami Tithi Begins: January 23, 2026- 02:28 am
- Panchami Tithi Ends: January 24, 2026- 01:46 am
Bhog & Sweets To Offer To Maa Saraswati
For Saraswati Puja, and while offering bhog, always wear light and bright colours like yellow and white. It is also good to offer yellow-coloured sweets to Maa Saraswati, such as:
Savoury bhog:
- Khichuri: Slow-cooked rice with yellow lentils.
- Labra: Mixed vegetable curry served with khichuri.
- Bhaja: Deep-fried potatoes, brinjals or cauliflowers.
Sweet bhog:
- Kesar halwa: Halwa made with sooji, saffron, ghee and sugar.
- Meethe chawal: Fragrant rice with jaggery, saffron and coconut
- Kesar kheer: Rice pudding made with milk, sugar, elaichi and kesar.
- Boondi Laddoo: Laddoos made with tiny fried balls of besan, which are soaked in sugar syrup.
It is best to offer yellow-coloured food and sweets that represent the significance of Saraswati Puja.
Also Read: Saraswati Puja 2026: 10 Places In Bengaluru To Mark Vasant Panchami With Bhog, Music & Rituals
5 Best Places In India To Celebrate Saraswati Puja
Vasant Panchami, or Saraswati Puja, is celebrated with a lot of fervour across the country. Also, yellow colour takes over the celebration in food, clothes, flowers and decoration. Here are five of the best places in India where you can see the magic of Saraswati Puja.
1. Kolkata
Kolkata is one of the best places to celebrate Saraswati Puja in India. The city celebrates the festival with pandals, rituals, food and more. Devotees wear yellow and white, and place books and instruments near Maa Saraswati’s idol. They also prepare a vegetarian bhog of khichuri, labra and sweets. Head to pandals like Baguiati Joramandir, Alapan Bani Bandana (Howrah), Budge Budge (South 24 Parganas), Tridhara Club and Tala Prattoy Ground.
2. Jaipur, Rajasthan
In Jaipur, Basant Panchami is celebrated by flying kites, visiting temples, and offering books and instruments to Maa Saraswati. Devotees offer yellow flowers too. Moreover, many places host cultural events centred on music, dance and art. You can visit Kali Puja Samiti in Mahadev Nagar to witness the celebration this year.
3. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
In Varanasi, Saraswati Puja is a complete devotional affair. The yellow theme is visible at the Ganga ghats, with pujas held at temples and homes. The ghats come alive in the evening with lamps. Kachori Sabzi and Kesar Halwa are enjoyed during Saraswati Puja. Visit Chetganj Dalhatta Pandal in Varanasi to offer prayers to Maa.
4. Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh:
Ujjain is another great place to celebrate Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Puja. Special prayers are held at temples, including the Mahakaleshwar Temple, in the morning. People wear yellow and enjoy foods like poha and jalebi near the Shipra River. Additionally, kite flying and playing gilli danda are also popular on this day. You can visit temples along the Shipra River that host cultural events on this day.
5. Patna, Bihar
In Patna, families celebrate Saraswati Puja by placing idols of Maa Saraswati on decorated altars. Pandals are set up with festive banners where devotees come to pray. Many schools and colleges also host cultural events involving music and dance to mark the day. You can visit Patan Devi Mandir, one of the sacred temples in Patna and one of the 51 Siddha Shakta Pithas in India.
Why Saraswati Puja Is Called The ‘Valentine’s Day Of Kolkata’
Not many might know, but surprisingly, Saraswati Puja is also known as the ‘Valentine’s Day of Kolkata’ or the ‘Bengali Valentine’s Day’. In older days, there used to be no co-ed schools in the city and young boys and girls were not allowed to mingle freely. But on Saraswati Puja, all schools allowed a rare opportunity for boys and girls to come together. Which is why they would dress up in yellow clothes, visit pandals together and enjoy street food with their friends. Many young people in Kolkata treat it as a very special day.
Also Read: Why Does Yellow Matter On Basant Panchami? 10 Yellow Dishes To Add Festive Vibes To Your Meal
How are you celebrating Saraswati Puja? Do let us know.
Cover Image Courtesy: @exploring_owl_eyes/ Instagram and @poushali.this.side/ Instagram
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