Friday, January 23, 2026
Celebration of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, arts, and wisdom. Students worship their books and instruments. Marks the onset of spring season. People wear yellow clothes symbolizing mustard flowers in bloom.
Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati
Bathe early and wear yellow clothes — the colour of mustard flowers blooming across India in early spring. Saraswati is traditionally worshipped in yellow.
Sit facing north-east with water, akshat, and a yellow flower in your right palm. Take Sankalp — dedicating the puja to Goddess Saraswati for the blessings of knowledge, wisdom, eloquence, and the arts. Students especially seek her grace for excellence in studies.
ॐ अद्य माघ शुक्ल पञ्चम्यां वसन्त पञ्चमी सरस्वती पूजनम् करिष्ये।
Place the Saraswati idol or image on a yellow-cloth-covered chowki. Place all books, musical instruments, pens, and learning tools before her — they will receive her blessing and not be used for the day out of respect.
Worship Lord Ganesha first with durva, yellow flowers, and modak.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
Invoke Goddess Saraswati into the idol by chanting her dhyana mantra. Visualise her seated on a white lotus or swan, dressed in white or yellow, holding the veena, a book, and a mala.
या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना। या ब्रह्माच्युतशङ्करप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥
Perform the sixteen upacharas — Asana, Padya, Arghya, Achamaniya, Snana (panchamrit), Vastra (yellow cloth), Gandha (chandan), Akshat, Pushpa (yellow marigold), Dhupa, Deepa, Naivedya (kesari bhaat, besan laddoo), Tambula, Pradakshina, Namaskar.
ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः॥
Recite the Saraswati Vandana (from the Markandeya Purana), the Saraswati Stotra by Agastya Muni, or the Saraswati Ashtakam. Students especially chant 'Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah' 108 times on a rudraksha mala.
सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि। विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा॥
Young children who are beginning their education perform their first writing (Vidyarambha) today. A grain of rice is used to write 'Om' or 'Sa Ra Sva Ti' on a tray of rice. This first step is said to bring the goddess's blessings on the child's entire educational journey.
Perform the Saraswati Aarti with camphor — singing 'Om Jai Saraswati Mata'. Ring the bell throughout. Let every devotee (especially students) take the camphor flame for blessings.
ॐ जय सरस्वती माता, मैया जय सरस्वती माता।
Distribute the naivedya — yellow sweets (kesari bhaat, besan laddoo), jalebi, and ber fruit — as prasad. Children sit with their books and instruments before the goddess — avoiding use of them for the day as a mark of respect. Donate books or educational materials to needy students in her honour.
This guide reflects classical Parashari tradition. Regional variations exist — consult a family priest for specifics.