When is Saraswati Puja on February 2 or 3 and what are the Puja timings

Saraswati Puja is one of the most simply celebrated days and festivals in India. It is a celebration of Maa Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, creativity, and intellect, and is the deity who is prayed to for blessings of learning, music, and arts. It is celebrated with devotion all across India, especially West Bengal, Orissa, Delhi, Assam, and Bihar, and is also called ‘Basant Panchmi’ in certain regions.


For students and people who are into the education and learning field, Maa Saraswati is the supreme deity. She is often depicted wearing a white saree with a Veena in hand, and her expressions are calm and serene and radiate a sense of positivity and inspiration. Also in her hands are books, or a rosary, and she sits on a lotus with a swan right beside her.
It is said that praying to Maa Saraswati is the straight path to academic and creative excellence for people.

One of the biggest doubts people have right now is the exact date for the Saraswati Puja celebration. Some say that Saraswati Puja will be celebrated on February 2, while others believe the puja should be done on February 3.

According to Drik Panchang, the dates and timings this year are “Vasant Panchami on Sunday, February 2, 2025
Vasant Panchami Muhurat - 07:09 AM to 12:35 PM
Duration - 05 Hours 26 Mins
Vasant Panchami Madhyanha Moment - 12:35 PM
Panchami Tithi Begins - 09:14 AM on Feb 02, 2025
Panchami Tithi Ends - 06:52 AM on Feb 03, 2025”
And so, the timings for Saraswati Puja will be - “Vasant Panchami Muhurat - 07:09 AM to 12:35 PM”.

The traditions of Saraswati puja are mostly the same, but vary slightly in different regions and states. It could be the change in rituals, or the change in the food people make to offer to Maa Saraswati, or it could be as simple as what people wear on that day.
But the most common rituals on Saraswati puja are -
Set up the puja space

For the puja space, set up an altar with a clay or marble idol of Goddess Saraswati, and decorate the idol with flowers, especially marigolds and lotus, and some flower garlands as well. If possible, keep the books, pens, papers, and copies that you use everyday near the idol of Maa Saraswati as this is believed to attract her blessings towards the learning material.
Some people also prefer to bring an idol of Maa Saraswati in the nearby temple, or the common temple in a society, and the children are then asked to keep their books and copies in the temple.
Wear yellow
Another common ritual people follow is wearing yellow or orange on the day of Saraswati puja. Yellow is believed to be the colour of knowledge and prosperity for the day, and wearing bright colours is advised.

The puja
If you are performing Saraswati puja, wake up early, preferably in the Brahma Muhurat, and take a shower to cleanse yourself. Then start setting up the puja area, covering it with flowers and garlands, and sweets and fruits.
Then start performing the everyday rituals, like lighting the incense, a ghee diya, offering flowers, fruits, and sweets, and chanting the mantras you wish to. Most people start with a Saraswati vandana, and then go on with the everyday rituals.
In most Hindu families, the children, especially those who are students, are woken up early in the morning and are told to tidy up their study tables, their books, and themselves and then asked to sit for the Puja to honour Maa Saraswati. They are also expected to study well on the same day in order to be in Maa Saraswati's good eye.