Sri Panchami

Authorities at the Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri shrine have intensified the arrangements for Sri Panchami celebrations on February 5. Sri Panchami has great significance as the presiding deity is adorned as the Goddess Saraswati Devi on that day.

Hundreds of kids from different parts of the city started learning alphabets on the occasion of Sri Panchami or Saraswati puja at various temples in Silk City on Thursday. Saraswati is known as goddess of learning.

An education festival was held at the Ainavilli temple in Konaseema district, where a special prayer was offered by placing one lakh pens at the feet of Lord Vigneswara. The event, marking Magha Masam Sukla Panchami, also included prayers to Saraswathi Devi and distribution of the pens to children, amidst large arrangements for devotees.

There was quite a ruckus at National Institute of Technology (NIT) on the occasion of Sri Panchami on Saturday after 'Chandi yagnam' was conducted on campus to criticism from rationalists who questioned the purpose behind holding the religious ritual on the contention that science and religion do not go together.

Visva-Bharati authorities are planning changes in the date and rules of Basanta Utsav to make it more orderly.

As winters fade away, the blooming spring season paves way for one of the most auspicious festivals as per the Hindu mythology. Basant Panchami is also celebrated as Saraswati Puja in the eastern part of the country and towards the Southern region it is celebrated as Sri Panchami.

Central govt on Thursday announced 18 closed holidays in the coming year.

What does this festival mean to Devlina Kumar? A celebration of learning, gratitude, yellow saris, love and lots of bhog and kul. Read on...

In Punjab, Basant Panchami is celebrated by flying kites. Bali and Indonesia observe the day as Hari Raya Saraswati, with educational institutions worshiping the goddess and children offering sweets and fruits during prayers. People in West Bengal celebrate this holiday for four days, create big pandals. On this day, people in Uttarakhand worship not only Goddess Saraswati but also Lord Shiva and Parvati.

The color ‘yellow’ is given importance on this day and is considered auspicious as it represents spring, spiritual knowledge, light and prosperity.

Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Puja also signals the beginning of the forty-day countdown to Holika Dahan and Holi.

Telangana unveiled its 2025 holiday calendar, granting state government employees public holidays on major festivals and second Saturdays, with February 8th being an exception. Employees can also select five optional holidays from a separate list, regardless of their religious background. Dates for Islamic holidays are contingent on moon sightings and will be announced accordingly.