In Kolkata, Vasant Panchami is celebrated as Saraswati Puja, a festival that beautifully blends devotion, culture, youth, and the joy of learning. Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, art, and wisdom, this day marks the arrival of spring and holds a special place in the hearts of students and families across the city. Unlike many other festivals, Saraswati Puja in Kolkata carries a soft, youthful charm that makes it both spiritual and social in nature.
Saraswati Puja 2026 Date in Kolkata
This year, the streets of Kolkata will turn yellow on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Panchami Tithi Begins: 02:28 AM on Jan 23
Panchami Tithi Ends: 01:46 AM on Jan 24
Pushpanjali Timing: The best time to offer Pushpanjali (floral tribute) in Kolkata is between 07:30 AM and 11:00 AM, before the midday Bhog is offered.
The Morning of Saraswati Puja
The day begins early in Kolkata. Homes, schools, colleges, and neighbourhood clubs prepare for the puja with great care. Goddess Saraswati’s idol is placed on decorated platforms, often adorned with flowers, garlands, lamps, and fruits. The goddess is usually shown dressed in white, holding a veena and sacred books, symbolising purity and learning.
Yellow is the colour of the day. People wear yellow sarees, kurtas, or simple yellow accessories. Streets, markets, and educational institutions seem filled with shades of yellow, reflecting both the season of spring and the belief that yellow brings knowledge, positivity, and prosperity.
Students are at the centre of the celebration. They place their books, pens, notebooks, musical instruments, and art tools before the goddess. Many students avoid studying on this day until the puja is completed, believing that knowledge should first be offered to the goddess and received as her blessing.
Pandals and Creative Expression
Pandals play an important role in Kolkata’s Saraswati Puja celebrations. While some are small and simple, others are thoughtfully designed with creative themes related to education, literature, history, or art. School and college pandals often showcase handmade decorations, paintings, and models created by students themselves. These displays reflect how learning and creativity are deeply valued in the city.
Cultural programmes are a key part of the day. Schools and colleges organise devotional songs, classical music performances, dance recitals, poetry readings, and group prayers. These events allow students to express their talents while paying respect to the goddess of learning. The atmosphere remains calm, graceful, and joyful, unlike louder festivals, giving Saraswati Puja a unique identity.
A Special Day for Students and Youth
Saraswati Puja holds a unique place in student life in Kolkata. Over time, it has become known informally as a day of friendship and youthful freedom. Many students dress in their best traditional clothes and visit different pandals across the city with friends. This tradition dates back to a time when many schools were single gender institutions, and Saraswati Puja allowed students from different schools to meet openly and respectfully.
Because of this, the festival is sometimes lovingly called the Bengali Valentine’s Day. However, the essence of the day remains rooted in innocence, friendship, and celebration of youth rather than romance alone. The pleasant weather, festive mood, and cultural setting make the city feel especially alive on this day.
The Sacred 'Kul' and The Grand Bhog
Food is central to the Kolkata experience, but it starts with a restriction. A popular tradition involves the Kul (Topa Kul or Jujube berry). It is forbidden to eat this seasonal fruit before Saraswati Puja. Only after offering it to the Goddess during the puja do students break this fast, believing it ensures academic success.
Once the rituals are done, the feasting begins. The traditional Bhog usually consists of:
Khichuri: A savory mix of rice and lentils.
Labra: A mixed vegetable curry.
Beguni: Fried eggplant fritters.
Tomato Chutney and Payesh: Sweet endings to the meal.
Unlike the non-vegetarian feasts of Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja food in Kolkata is strictly vegetarian, yet incredibly rich in flavor.
First Steps into Learning
For many families, Saraswati Puja is the chosen day for introducing young children to education. Children are guided to write their first letters or words as part of a small ritual. This moment is seen as the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning, guided by the blessings of the goddess.
Parents and elders take this opportunity to teach children the importance of education, discipline, and respect for teachers. The festival quietly reinforces these values through tradition rather than instruction.
Community Bonding and Togetherness
Neighbourhood clubs and housing societies in Kolkata organise community pujas that bring people together. These gatherings strengthen social bonds and allow people of all ages to participate. Elderly residents, parents, students, and children all share the same space, prayers, and celebrations.
The sense of togetherness makes Saraswati Puja feel warm and inclusive. It is not limited to temples or homes but spreads across streets, schools, and public spaces, turning the entire city into a place of learning and joy.
Why Saree and Punjabi are the Uniform of the Day
Walk down Park Street or Princep Ghat on Vasant Panchami, and you will witness a sea of yellow. This is the unofficial fashion show of Kolkata.
For Women: The tradition is to wear a Basanti (yellow) Saree, often draped in the traditional Bengali style.
For Men: The look is incomplete without a Holud (yellow) Punjabi (kurta) paired with pajamas or jeans.
This color coordination isn't just for photos; it signifies the mustard fields of spring and creates a sense of unity across the city, blurring the lines between strangers.
A Festival of Wisdom and Youth
Vasant Panchami in Kolkata is a celebration of both wisdom and youth. It honours knowledge while embracing the freshness of spring and the energy of young minds. Through Saraswati Puja, pandals, student traditions, and community gatherings, the city expresses its deep respect for education and culture.
More than a religious ritual, Saraswati Puja in Kolkata is a gentle reminder that learning, creativity, and shared joy are essential to a meaningful life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is Saraswati Puja called the Valentine’s Day of Kolkata?
A: It is a day when students are free from studying and are allowed to hang out with friends openly. The tradition of wearing yellow sarees and kurtas and couples visiting pandals together has earned it this nickname.
Q: What is the 'Hate Khori' ritual?
A: Hate Khori (Chalk in Hand) is a ceremony performed on Saraswati Puja where toddlers are taught to write their first alphabet on a slate, marking the formal beginning of their education.
Q: Can we eat non-veg on Saraswati Puja in Kolkata?
A: traditionally, Saraswati Puja is a strictly vegetarian day in Bengali households. The highlight is the vegetarian Khichuri and Labra served as Bhog.
