Basant Panchami 2026: Saraswati Puja Date, Muhurat and Auspicious Start of Akshar Abhyas

Basant Panchami 2026 will bring a beautiful opportunity to receive the grace of Maa Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music and arts. This day, which falls on the Panchami tithi of Shukla Paksha of the month of Magh, is also regarded as a symbol of the beginning of the spring season. Students, artists, musicians and all seekers on the path of learning observe Saraswati Puja on this day with deep devotion. When worship is done at the right time, many experience better progress in studies, improvement in memory and greater clarity in thinking.

According to the Vedic panchang, the tithi of Magh Shukla Panchami and the special Saraswati Puja muhurat make this day even more auspicious. Those who wish to bring the light of education and wisdom into their own lives or into the lives of their children should welcome Basant Panchami 2026 as a day of practice and resolve.

Basant Panchami 2026 Date, Panchami Start and Saraswati Puja Muhurat

In 2026 Basant Panchami will be celebrated on the Panchami tithi of Shukla Paksha of the month of Magh. On this day it is considered especially important to worship Maa Saraswati according to proper method.

Panchami Tithi Begins: 23 January 2026 at 02:28 AM
Panchami Tithi Ends: 24 January 2026 at 01:46 AM

Therefore the main celebration of Basant Panchami will take place on 23 January 2026. From early morning on this day homes, schools and institutions begin preparations for Saraswati Puja.

Auspicious Time for Saraswati Puja

On Basant Panchami the time before midday is considered highly favourable for the worship of knowledge and learning. In 2026 the special muhurat for Saraswati Puja is as follows.

Muhurat	Time
Saraswati Puja Muhurat	07:13 AM to 12:33 PM

During this period it is considered most auspicious to sit calmly in front of the deity of Maa Saraswati and perform puja, mantra chanting and sankalpa. Students preparing for examinations may place their books and pens at the feet of the goddess in this period to seek her blessings.

Significance of Basant Panchami and Its Inner Message

Basant Panchami is not only a festival of seasonal change. It also inspires the mind to come out of intellectual and emotional darkness. According to traditional belief Maa Saraswati appeared from the mouth of Lord Brahma on this very Panchami day. When she manifested, the darkness of ignorance began to recede and the flow of knowledge, sound and music entered the world.

In many traditions Basant Panchami is regarded as an aboojh muhurat, which means a naturally auspicious period in which many sacred activities do not require a separate search for muhurat. Auspicious actions such as marriage, mundan and griha pravesh may be initiated on this day with faith. The positive energy of this day is considered helpful for new beginnings.

For those dedicated to knowledge, arts and music, this day becomes an opportunity to clarify their purpose again. People who feel laziness or lack of concentration in their studies may pray to Maa Saraswati on Basant Panchami with firm determination and may receive fresh inspiration from within.

Why is the Yellow Colour Dear to Maa Saraswati

Yellow colour appears in the fields of spring, in the mustard flowers and in the gentle sunlight. This colour is seen as a symbol of joy, brightness of intellect and lightness of heart. Tradition says that Maa Saraswati especially loves the colour yellow. Therefore wearing yellow clothes and offering yellow flowers and yellow food items in puja on Basant Panchami are considered very auspicious.

Yellow colour helps to keep the mind pleasant and relaxed. When the mind remains calm and cheerful while studying or learning any new skill, knowledge is absorbed more easily. This is why students often wear yellow clothes on Basant Panchami and offer yellow rice, saffron based halwa and boondi laddus to the goddess seeking her grace.

How to Perform Saraswati Puja on Basant Panchami 2026

On Basant Panchami Saraswati Puja can be done in a grand manner or in simple form. The main factors are purity and sincere devotion. Whether the puja is at home, in a school or in a workplace, the place should be cleaned properly and the mind should be calmed.

Step by Step Method of Saraswati Puja

• Bathe and wear clean clothes, preferably in yellow or light shades.
• Spread a clean yellow cloth on the puja seat or altar.
• Install an idol or picture of Maa Saraswati on it.
• Place an idol of Lord Ganesha nearby.
• On the right side of the altar place a kalash filled with water and draw auspicious symbols on it.
• Keep a lamp, incense sticks and flowers near the kalash.

After this sit quietly and offer salutations to Maa Saraswati. Children who are studying may place their books, pens, notebooks and study materials at the feet of the goddess. Those engaged in arts, music, writing or any creative field may place symbolic objects of their work and seek her blessings.

Method of Offering Bhog and Mantra Chanting

During the puja yellow rice, boondi laddus and saffron based halwa are offered as bhog to Maa Saraswati. The prasad should be pure and sattvic. If possible one may play soft devotional music or instrumental melodies for some time to sanctify the atmosphere.

Then chant the mantra Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah 108 times with pure intent. This mantra is considered to harmonise knowledge, speech and memory. During chanting try to protect the mind from wandering and remain fully attentive to the divine name. After the mantra chanting perform the aarti of Maa Saraswati and distribute prasad among family members and students.

Meaning of Calling Basant Panchami an Aboojh Muhurat

When a day is called an aboojh muhurat it does not mean that all caution can be ignored. It indicates that the entire day is naturally auspicious enough that separate muhurat calculation is usually not required for many shubh activities such as marriage, griha pravesh or beginning of important work.

Basant Panchami is called an aboojh muhurat because this day is considered highly supportive for wisdom, fortune and new beginnings. Families that wish to start a new lesson, music training or any new art for their children may confidently choose this day for the first step. Those who follow a particular tradition may still seek guidance from their family priest or knowledgeable pandit.

Special Akshar Abhyas for Young Children on Basant Panchami

A very significant aspect of Basant Panchami is related to akshar abhyas, the first introduction of letters. Tradition regards this day as highly auspicious for starting a child’s education. Many families encourage their child to write the first letter, mantra or divine name for the very first time on this day.

For akshar abhyas people generally use a clean slate, notebook or a plate filled with rice, grain or sand. The child uses a little finger to write Om, the name of God or any simple letter. Along with this process parents silently resolve that the child’s life may be filled with knowledge, good conduct and noble values.

For children already studying, Basant Panchami can be a day of self review. They may look through their previous notes, books and study habits and decide on which subjects they need to work more deeply. Placing this resolve before Maa Saraswati brings extra motivation to the mind.

Balance in Student Life through Basant Panchami 2026

For students Basant Panchami 2026 is not just a festival. It is also a reminder to balance studies and overall growth. Along with study, music, art and creative activities keep the mind fresh and reduce stress. Maa Saraswati is revered as the presiding deity of learning as well as music and arts, therefore it is beneficial on this day not to restrict learning only to books but to take a resolve for good speech, refined behaviour and balanced lifestyle.

Parents who feel anxious about their children’s studies may also sincerely pray during Saraswati Puja that their children gain concentration, patience and correct direction. This transforms the home atmosphere positively and studying children feel supported and safe.

Common Questions Related to Basant Panchami 2026

On which day will Basant Panchami 2026 be celebrated?
Basant Panchami 2026 will be celebrated on 23 January 2026 on the Panchami tithi of Magh Shukla Paksha. The Panchami tithi will begin at 02:28 AM on 23 January and will end at 01:46 AM on 24 January.

What is the auspicious muhurat for Saraswati Puja on Basant Panchami?
The main muhurat for worship of Maa Saraswati on this day will be from 07:13 AM to 12:33 PM. Performing puja, mantra chanting and akshar abhyas during this period is regarded as highly auspicious.

Why is Basant Panchami called an aboojh muhurat?
Traditional belief states that Maa Saraswati manifested from the mouth of Lord Brahma on this day and the darkness of ignorance began to disappear. Therefore Basant Panchami is seen as so auspicious that for many sacred tasks such as marriage and griha pravesh separate muhurat calculation is less required.

How should Saraswati Puja be performed on Basant Panchami?
Wear yellow or light coloured clothes, spread a yellow cloth, establish idols of Maa Saraswati and Lord Ganesha, place a kalash and offer yellow rice, boondi laddus and saffron halwa as bhog. Then chant Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah 108 times, perform aarti and distribute prasad.

What is done especially for small children on Basant Panchami?
Basant Panchami is considered extremely auspicious for akshar abhyas. On this day children write their first letter, divine name or Om for the first time. It is believed that this makes the beginning of education prosperous and later supports success in studies.