Bengali Valentine's Day: Basant Panchami falls on Friday, that is, January 23, welcoming the spring season with splashes of yellow, kite flying and worshipping Goddess Saraswati, who symbolises knowledge. Saraswati Puja falls on the fifth day of the Magha month and is celebrated widely among the Bengali communities in West Bengal and abroad. Devi Saraswati is worshipped in schools, colleges and educational institutions where students seek blessings from the Goddess. The interesting part of this festival is that Saraswati Puja, over the years have evolved to be Bengali Valentine’s Day.
I will always relate Saraswati Puja with wearing a yellow saree, as the colour is associated with the goddess of knowledge and symbolises wisdom. It is the time when youngsters step out to wander the city after the morning puja rituals, to celebrate the Goddess and the spring season. For Bengalis like me, Saraswati Puja is synonymous with Bengali Valentine’s Day and here’s why.
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Why is Saraswati Puja Called Bengali Valentine’s Day?
Basant Panchami, also known as Saraswati Puja in West Bengal, is an anticipated festival, especially for students across the state. It is often called Bengali Valentine’s Day in Kolkata, making it a sight to behold as couples with yellow-colored traditional attire walk hand in hand. This is the day that students find a break from their studies as the books are placed at the feet of Goddess Saraswati for a blessing, allowing them to spend more time with friends or “special crush.”
During this time, the weather is pleasant as winter melts away, flowers bloom and birds chirp, reflecting the essence of love in the air. Young couples cuddle up with their partner amidst trees or phuchka and ice cream stalls. Oftentimes, the casual hookups on Saraswati Puja turn into a lifetime commitment through Devi’s blessings.
Couples In Saraswati Puja (Image Credits: Instagram)
How Did Bengali Valentine’s Day On Saraswati Puja Start?
In Bengal, predominantly, there have been more single-gender schools and educational institutions. Saraswati Puja comes as a special event when the boys visit the girls’ hostel and vice versa to witness the Puja and seek blessings from Devi Saraswati. As there is a mingling of school goers, especially on this occasion, indulging in chatting, sharing jokes and taking pictures becomes a part of the enjoyment. Saraswati Puka marks a phase of camaraderie and hidden romance between friends, thus getting the name of Bengali Valentine’s Day.
Bengali Valentine’s Day Rituals On Saraswati Puja
Students write love letters, poems, songs and shayaris dedicated to their ‘crush.’ Saraswati Puja often becomes a refreshing and cultural experience, unlike the world-famous Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14. Students and couples often make it a ritual to visit Kolkata’s Princep Ghat for boat rides and picture-clicking sessions.
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Basant Panchami 2026 showcases the importance of Saraswati Puja, that as the dual appeal of fostering knowledge while lighting the fire of Bengali Valentine’s Day in every Bengali soul in Kolkata and West Bengal. In the modern, busy world, Saraswati Puja is the day when real romance begins with wisdom meeting emotions.