Saraswati Puja is held on the fifth day of the waxing Moon in Magh, and in Assam it belongs to students. Every school, college and hostel sets up an image of the goddess of learning; books and pens are placed before her; and the morning offering of flowers is made fasting. Girls wear the mekhela sador, often their first, boys the dhuti, and the day is spent walking from one puja to the next.
The story
Saraswati is worshipped in white, with her veena and swan. Children are given their first lesson today, tracing a letter on a slate.
The puja is also a day out. For generations of Assamese students it has been the one day of the school year with no lessons and no supervision.
How it is kept
- PushpanjaliThe offering of flowers, on an empty stomach.
- BooksLaid before the goddess and not read for the day.
- BhogKhichuri and labra, served by the students themselves.
- ImmersionThe next day the images are taken to the Brahmaputra or the nearest river.
Why this date
Saraswati Puja is the Panchami of the bright fortnight of Magh, on the day it is present at sunrise.
Saraswati Puja in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Thursday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Friday | |
| 2030 | Thursday | |
| 2031 | Monday |
More Assamese festivals
15 JanuaryMagh Bihuমাঘ বিহু
6 MarchMaha Shivaratriমহা শিৱৰাত্ৰি
22 MarchDoul Utsavদৌল উৎসৱ
24 November 2026Raas Purnimaৰাস পূৰ্ণিমা
8 November 2026Kali Puja and Diwaliকালী পূজা · দীপাৱলী
14 AprilGoru Bihuগৰু বিহু
Where to see Saraswati Puja
In Assam
- Cotton University, GuwahatiAssamThe oldest college in the state, with pujas in every hostel.
- Gauhati UniversityAssamThe campus at Jalukbari, crowded through the day.
- DibrugarhAssamThe tea capital's schools and colleges compete in decoration.
Across India
- KolkataWest BengalThe same morning is the students' festival of Bengal.
- CuttackOdishaOdisha keeps the day in the same way.
- BasarTelanganaThe Saraswati temple on the Godavari.