Festival guide
Vasant Panchami
Vasant Panchami, on the fifth day of the bright half of Magha, welcomes spring and honours Saraswati, goddess of knowledge, music and the arts.
Vasant Panchami dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday 23 January | Magha Shukla Panchami 23 Jan, 02:28 → 24 Jan, 01:46 |
| 2027 | Thursday 11 February | Magha Shukla Panchami 11 Feb, 03:05 → 12 Feb, 03:18 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi at sunrise.
Also known as: Saraswati Puja, Shri Panchami.
Story and significance
Tradition holds that Saraswati manifested on this day to give speech and learning to creation. Yellow, the colour of ripening mustard fields, is associated with the festival and with the goddess.
How Vasant Panchami is celebrated
- Saraswati puja with books, pens and musical instruments placed before the goddess
- Wearing yellow and offering yellow sweets such as kesari bhaat or boondi
- Vidyarambh — many families introduce young children to writing their first letters on this day
- Special celebrations in schools and colleges, particularly in Bengal, Bihar and Odisha
Recite on Vasant Panchami: Saraswati Vandana — Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala
How to perform the puja: Saraswati Puja Vidhi (Vasant Panchami) — step by step, with a samagri checklist and timings.
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Vasant Panchami 2026?
Vasant Panchami 2026 falls on Friday, 23 January 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Vasant Panchami 2027?
Vasant Panchami 2027 falls on Thursday, 11 February 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Vasant Panchami change every year?
Vasant Panchami is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Shukla Paksha tithi 5 of Magha (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Vasant Panchami fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.