Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami holds dual significance as both a seasonal festival and a religious occasion. Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, it is marked by the worship of books, musical instruments, and educational tools, especially by students and teachers. People wear yellow clothes, prepare yellow-colored foods like saffron rice and sweets, and decorate homes with marigold flowers. In Punjab, it coincides with kite-flying festivals, while in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Assam, Saraswati Puja is performed in schools, colleges, and households. In some regions, it also heralds the preparation for Holi, which comes 40 days later.

The festival is celebrated widely across North, East, and Central India, and also holds cultural importance in Nepal. It is a daytime festival, as rituals and pujas are performed in the morning and continue through the day.