Saraswati Puja falls on Basanta Panchami, the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Magha, the first day of spring. Every school, college and hostel in Odisha sets up a clay image of the goddess of learning in a decorated pandal. Students fast until they have offered flowers, place their books and pens at her feet, and for one day do no study at all.
The story
Saraswati, in white, seated on a swan with the veena in her hands, is the goddess of speech, music and letters. Small children are given their first lesson today, Khadi Chhuan, tracing letters with chalk on a slate.
At Puri the day opens the season of spring festivals, which run on to Dola Purnima.
How it is kept
- The pandalStudents collect money, bring the image and decorate the stage themselves.
- PushpanjaliFlowers are offered with both hands after a morning fast; yellow or white is worn.
- Books at her feetLeft there for the day, and taken back next morning.
- Khadi ChhuanA child's first writing.
- ImmersionThe next day the images go to the river in procession.
Why this date
Saraswati Puja is the Panchami of the bright fortnight of Magha, on the day it is present at sunrise.
Saraswati Puja in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Monday | |
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Thursday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Friday | |
| 2030 | Thursday |
More Odia festivals
14 JanuaryMakar Sankrantiମକର ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି
25 JanuaryRatha Saptamiରଥ ସପ୍ତମୀ
3 MarchDola Purnimaଦୋଳ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା
15 FebruaryMaha Shivaratriମହା ଶିବରାତ୍ରି
26 MarchRama Navamiରାମ ନବମୀ
2 AprilHanuman Jayantiହନୁମାନ ଜୟନ୍ତୀ
Where to see Saraswati Puja
In Odisha
- Ravenshaw University, CuttackOdishaThe oldest college of the state; its hostels compete at Saraswati Puja.
- Utkal University, BhubaneswarOdishaDozens of pandals across the campus.
- Jagannath Temple, PuriOdishaBasanta Panchami rites begin the temple's spring cycle.
Across India
- KolkataWest BengalThe same day is the great student festival of Bengal.
- BasarTelanganaThe Saraswati temple on the Godavari.
- PushkarRajasthanA hill shrine of Saraswati stands above the lake of Brahma.