What is Vasant Panchami?
Vasant Panchami falls on the fifth day of the bright half of the month of Magha and marks the arrival of spring. It is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, art and learning.
The colour yellow
Yellow is the colour of the day, matching the mustard fields in bloom. People wear yellow clothes, offer yellow flowers and cook yellow sweets and saffron rice. In Punjab and parts of North India, the day is also celebrated with kite flying.
Saraswati Puja in Bengal
In West Bengal, Assam and Odisha, Saraswati Puja is a huge celebration for students. Books and instruments are placed at the goddess's feet, young children write their first letters in the Hate Khori ritual, and schools and colleges hold their own pujas.