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

Next date

11 February 2027

Thursday · Shukla Panchami

Tithi begins03:05 AM

Tithi ends03:18 AM · 12 Feb

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.

2026

Jan23FriFridayShukla PanchamiTithi begins02:29 AMTithi ends01:46 AM · 24 Jan

2027

Feb11ThuThursdayNextShukla PanchamiTithi begins03:05 AMTithi ends03:18 AM · 12 Feb