Rajarshi Ganguly, The Bengal News, West Bengal, 22 nd January 2026 : The city of joy transformed into a vibrant sea of yellow and white today as millions of Bengalis celebrated Saraswati Puja, the festival dedicated to the Goddess of learning, music, and the arts. Coinciding with Vasant Panchami, the festival marks the ceremonial arrival of spring and remains one of the most culturally significant days in the life of a Bengali.
A Celebration of Knowledge, Art, and Youth on Saraswati Puja / Photo : Rajarshi Ganguly
From the narrow lanes of North Kolkata to the sprawling campuses of Jadavpur and Presidency Universities, the atmosphere was thick with the scent of incense, the sound of the dhak (traditional drum), and the collective chanting of “Saraswati Maha-bhage, Vidye Kamala-lochane.” Unlike the high-energy grandeur of Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja carries a more serene and academic charm. In almost every household and educational institution, students placed their textbooks, notebooks, and pens at the feet of the Goddess. “It’s a day of forced holiday from studies,” laughed Ananya Sen, a Class 10 student. “Tradition says we aren’t allowed to touch our books today. It’s our way of showing respect to the Goddess – surrendering our tools of learning to her before we start the new academic season.” A highlight for many families was the Hate Khori (initial writing) ceremony. In pandals and homes, toddlers were seen holding a piece of chalk for the first time, guided by priests or elders to write the first letters of the Bengali alphabet on a slate, marking their formal initiation into the world of education.
The “Bengali Valentine’s Day” / Photo : Rajarshi Ganguly
While its roots are spiritual, Saraswati Puja has long been dubbed the “Bengali Valentine’s Day.” The streets were flooded with young couples and groups of friends, with girls draped in traditional yellow Basanti sarees and boys in crisp white or yellow Panjabis (kurthas). For many teenagers in the city, the festival provides a rare, culturally sanctioned opportunity to socialize freely. The sight of thousands of young people “pandal hopping” under the soft January sun has become an iconic image of modern Bengali life.
Kolkata’s famous artistry was on full display through the clay idols crafted in Kumartuli. While many opted for the traditional Ekchala (single frame) idols, several community pujas introduced contemporary themes:
- Environmental Awareness: Several school pandals used recycled materials like newspapers and jute to highlight pollution control.
- Social Tributes: Themes this year included tributes to the 100th birth centenary of filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak and celebrations of Kolkata’s heritage, featuring models of trams and yellow taxis.
- Academic Pressure: In a more somber turn, some student-led pujas used their decorations to protest the mental stress of competitive examinations and recent administrative changes in the education sector.
No Bengali festival is complete without its culinary traditions. As the morning Anjali (offering) concluded, the focus shifted to the Bhog. The Kul (jujube berry) holds a special place in the ritual; most Bengali children are told they cannot eat the fruit until it has been offered to the Goddess on this day.
