Why is studying avoided on Saraswati Puja?

Because the books are placed before the goddess the night before and left there. The idea is that they're with her for the day, so you don't take them back and study. It's one of Bengal's biggest festivals, with pandals in every neighbourhood, and it's also the day jujube fruit is traditionally eaten for the first time in the season.

Saraswati Puja

Bengali

Bengal's Vasant Panchami

2026

23 January 2026

Friday · Shukla Panchami

Tithi begins02:29 AM

Tithi ends01:46 AM · 24 Jan

Full panchang for this day

About

Worship of Goddess Saraswati on Vasant Panchami (Sri Panchami), the pre-eminent Saraswati festival in Bengal.

Falls on: Magha Shukla Panchami

What it is

A major festival in Bengal on a scale the rest of India doesn't match, pandals in every para and every school. Students place their textbooks before the idol the night before and don't study that day. Yellow is worn, and it is informally Bengal's Valentine's Day, the day young people traditionally dress up and go out. Hatekhori, a child's first letters, is done today.

Food

Khichuri with labra and beguni; and kul (jujube), which by custom is not eaten before this day.

Common questions

Why is studying avoided on Saraswati Puja?: Because the books are placed before the goddess the night before and left there. The idea is that they're with her for the day, so you don't take them back and study. It's one of Bengal's biggest festivals, with pandals in every neighbourhood, and it's also the day jujube fruit is traditionally eaten for the first time in the season.

Saraswati Puja date in 2025 Saraswati Puja date in 2027