Hindu festival
Vasant Panchami
Also known as Basant Panchami, Saraswati Puja, Shri Panchami.
In short
Vasant Panchami marks the first day of spring and the worship of Saraswati, goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts. It falls on the fifth tithi of the waxing moon in Magha. Students honour their books and instruments, wear yellow, and seek her blessing for learning.
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When is Vasant Panchami?
- This year’s date
- Set by the panchang each year from the rule below. Godify shows a specific date only once it is confirmed against an authoritative panchang — never guessed.
- Tithi / rule
- Panchami (5th tithi of the waxing moon) of the month of Magha
- Calendar
- Lunar calendar (tithi-based)
- Deity
- Saraswati
Marks the first day of spring (vasant) and is considered especially auspicious for beginning learning (vidyarambham) and the arts.
The story of Vasant Panchami
Saraswati is the goddess of vidya — knowledge, speech, music, and every art. On Vasant Panchami she is worshipped as the light that dispels the darkness of ignorance, and the day is held to be the most auspicious of the year to begin a child's first lessons.
It is also the threshold of spring, when mustard fields turn gold and the cold loosens its hold. Artists, musicians, and students place their instruments, pens, and books before the goddess, resting from their craft for a day so that she may bless it.
How is Vasant Panchami celebrated?
People wear yellow, worship Saraswati with books, pens, and musical instruments laid at her feet, and begin a child's first writing (vidyarambham). Schools and homes hold her puja, and in many regions the day is marked with kite-flying and the festivity of spring.
A mantra to mark the day
ॐ सरस्वत्यै नमः
oṃ sarasvatyai namaḥ
I bow to Saraswati, goddess of wisdom, learning, and the arts.
More Hindu festivals
About Vasant Panchami
When is Vasant Panchami?
On the Shukla Panchami (5th tithi of the waxing moon) of Magha. The exact Gregorian date is set by the panchang each year.
Who is worshipped on Vasant Panchami?
Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts — honoured for learning and new beginnings as spring arrives.
Mark Vasant Panchami with Bhagavan
Ask about the festival's meaning, its deity, or a verse or mantra to observe the day — free, private, any hour.
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