Saraswati Puja, a celebration dedicated to Maa Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, and wisdom, is an auspicious and visually stunning festival in West Bengal. Coinciding with Vasant Panchami, it marks the joyful arrival of spring, painting the landscape in the brilliant yellow hues associated with the Goddess. While universally a day for seeking blessings for academic and creative pursuits, the celebration of Saraswati Puja takes on distinct flavors as we travel from the metropolitan buzz of Kolkata to the traditional towns of Midnapore, Magra, and Ambika Kalna.
Saraswati Puja in 2026 will be on Friday, January 23, 2026. The Panchami tithi begins early in the morning and ends in the early hours of January 24. The auspicious time for the puja is from approximately 7:13 AM to 12:33 PM, though timings can vary slightly by location.
Why Saraswati Puja Is Special in West Bengal
Unlike Durga Puja’s grand processions and lights, Saraswati Puja in West Bengal merges devotion with simplicity and cultural vibrance. Students worship books instead of reading them, artists perform rituals for their musical instruments, and almost everyone dresses in yellow—the color of spring.
The festival is also fondly called “Bengali Valentine’s Day”, as young people celebrate friendship, connection, and new beginnings. Whether in the buzzing lanes of Kolkata or the serene ghats of Kalna, Saraswati Puja becomes a colorful celebration of Bengal’s soul.
Kolkata: Artistry, Youthful Flair, and Themed Pandals
Kolkata, the state’s cultural capital, transforms during Saraswati Puja. Here, the festival transcends a purely religious event and becomes a vibrant social and artistic extravaganza.
Students’ Pujas dominate the city—Presidency University, Jadavpur University, and Scottish Church College are top attractions.
Residential neighborhoods build beautifully decorated pandals with themes ranging from traditional to ultra-modern.
Cultural performances, recitation events, and music add life to the day.
Pandal Power
Kolkata’s famed Barowari (community) pujas are renowned for their elaborate and artistic pandals. While Durga Puja is larger, the sheer creativity and aesthetic focus on the idol and the decor during Saraswati Puja are second to none. Themes range from traditional temple replicas to modern, abstract art installations, making the city a massive open-air art gallery.
Yellow is the Code
The most striking feature is the sea of yellow and white attire worn by everyone, especially youngsters. Girls in yellow sarees and boys in white kurta-pajamas flood the streets. This day is crucial for many, as it’s often the only day they can socialize freely, giving the celebration of Saraswati Puja a youthful energy.
The Hate Khori Ritual
For young children, the day is deeply significant as it often marks their Hate Khori, the ritualistic initiation into formal education where they write their first letters under the Goddess’s gaze, embodying the true spirit of Saraswati Puja.
Some Must Visit Pandals of Kolkata
How to Reach Kolkata
Nearest Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), Dum Dum. Direct flights from all major Indian cities — Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, and international hubs like Dubai, Bangkok, and Dhaka.
Travel to City: Taxis, app cabs (Ola/Uber), Metro Line 6 (from 2024), AC buses.
Kolkata has two major railway stations, Howrah and Sealdah.
National Highways NH16, NH19, NH12 connect Kolkata to the rest of India.
Midnapore: Community Focus and Simple Devotion
Moving west to the Midnapore (Medinipur) district, the celebration of Saraswati Puja shifts towards deep-rooted traditional practices and community solidarity. Here, the spectacle of grand-scale pandals gives way to heartfelt local customs.
Almost every school and college conducts Saraswati Puja.
Idols are mostly handcrafted using local clay and natural colors.
The evening immersion processions are vibrant with dhak beats, folk music, and traditional dances.
Simple Pandal Aesthetics
The pandals here are often simpler and less elaborate than those in Kolkata, focusing more on local artisanal talent. The idols adhere to classical iconography, and the decorations incorporate local crafts and Shola (pith) work, reflecting a pure form of devotion during Saraswati Puja.
Village Melas
The puja is often the center point for local fairs (melas). These community gatherings feature traditional rides, folk performances, and stalls selling handicrafts, regional toys, and authentic Bengali sweets like naru and moa, adding a rustic charm to the Saraswati Puja festivities.
Shared Bhog
The community bhog (offering) distribution is a central event. The traditional spread of Khichuri, Labra, and various fried vegetables and chutneys is prepared and shared among all residents, strengthening community bonds in the name of Maa Saraswati.
Some Must Visit Pandals of Midnapore
Patnabazar Student Club
Sujagunj Sangharsha Club
Sujagunj Biswamaitri Sangha
Bibigaunj Athletic Club
Midnapore College Math
Midnapore College Square
Midnapore Collegiate School
Midnapore Abasar Club
Midnapore Baticrome Club
Midnapore Avinandan Club
Midnapore Autonomous College
Midnapore Ariyans Club
Midnapore Jagaran Club
Midnapore Garima Club
Midnapore Sampriti Club
Midnapore Artist Forum
How to Reach Midnapore
Nearest Station: Paschim Medinipur (Midnapore Railway Station), Direct trains from: Howrah (Tamralipta Express, Rupashi Bangla Express, Kandari Express), Kharagpur, Digha, Bhubaneswar.
Average travel time from Kolkata (Howrah): 2.5–3 hours.
By Road Distance from Kolkata is 130 km.
Route: NH16 → Kolaghat → Kharagpur → Midnapur
Regular SBSTC/Private buses available from:
Esplanade
Santragachi
Howrah Maidan
Travel time: 3.5–4 hours
A smooth highway drive via NH16—perfect if planning a pandal hopping trip with family.
Magra: The Emerging Hub of Hooghly's Saraswati Puja
Located in the Hooghly district, Magra has emerged as a significant hub for Saraswati Puja celebrations, rapidly gaining fame for its highly competitive and spectacular pandals, akin to a miniature version of Kolkata’s Durga Puja.
Community-based pujas with strong local involvement.
Many pandals showcase handmade décor using bamboo, jute, and shola.
Cultural evenings include folk music, dance, and drawing competitions.
Local sweet shops offer special Saraswati Puja items like kara pitha and nolen gur sweets.
Competitive Spectacle
Magra’s local clubs and committees have elevated their Saraswati Puja celebrations, pouring immense effort into lighting, themes, and large, elaborate pandals. It has become a magnet for pandal hoppers from nearby towns, who come to witness the dramatic decorations and high-concept artistry.
Themed Grandeur
Similar to Kolkata’s South-end pandals, Magra’s pujas often adopt grand themes, focusing on intricate artwork, innovative lighting arrangements, and massive, striking idols, ensuring a grand visual treat for every visitor celebrating Saraswati Puja.
A Pandal Hopping Destination
The sheer number and proximity of quality pandals in Magra make it a distinct pandal-hopping destination, offering a focused and manageable route for tourists keen on experiencing high-quality thematic artistry.
Some Must Visit Pandals of Magra
Sanghashree Sangha Magra
Agnibina Sangha Magra
Natun Gram Netaji Sangha Magra
Jagorani Sangha Magra
Bagati Bandhu Mahal Club Magra
Bagati JBS Magra
How to Reach Magra
Nearest Station: Magra Railway Station (Eastern Railway)
Frequent local and express trains from: Howrah → Bandel → Magra
Local trains take 1–1.5 hours from Kolkata
By road, the Distance from Kolkata is approximately 60 km
Route: NH19 → Hind Motor → Konnagar → Rishra → Magra
Buses available from: Howrah, Esplanade, Dunlop
Travel time: 2–2.5 hours
A smooth drive along GT Road/Delhi Road, ideal for short festival trips.
Ambika Kalna: A Traditional Temple Town Experience
Ambika Kalna, famed for its stunning terracotta temples like the 108 Shiv Mandir complex, offers a deeply spiritual and historic setting for Saraswati Puja. The focus here is less on public pandals and more on the sacred rituals performed in the historic temple premises.
Many pujas are held in the backdrop of Rajbari temples and the 108 Shiva Temple complex.
Idols are crafted with shola (pith), representing Bengal’s traditional artistry.
People dress in yellow and take part in morning aarti, devotional songs, and cultural programs.
Temple Worship
The essence of the celebration lies in the adherence to ancient temple traditions. The Goddess Saraswati is worshipped with meticulous detail within the temple structures, emphasizing traditional puja over modern spectacle.
Purity in Iconography
The idols and decorations in Kalna often feature the delicate white Shola (pith) work, symbolizing the Goddess’s purity (Shukla Brahmacharini). This adherence to traditional iconography reinforces the spiritual significance of Saraswati Puja.
Cultural Recitations
Given the town’s rich heritage, local gatherings often include Kobita Path (poetry recitation) and classical music performances, truly honouring Maa Saraswati as the patron of arts and letters. The ambiance is one of serene devotion and cultural reverence.
Some Must Visit Pandals of Kalna
Tell Star Club Kalna
Yuvashakti Club Kalna
Heritage Club Kalna
Bidhan Smriti Sangha Kalna
Diamond Club Kalna
Tridhara Club Kalna
Kalpana Samiti Kalna
Yubak Samiti Kalna
Monalisa Club Kalna
Sputnik Club Kalna
Balaka Club Kalna
Balak Sangha Kalna
Golok Samiti Kalna
Banhisikha Club Kalna
1,2,8 er Palli Kalna
Jublee Star Club Kalna
How to Reach Kalna
Nearest Station: Kalna Railway Station (Ambika Kalna) Connected by EMU locals and express trains from:
Howrah – Katwa Line
Sealdah (via Bandel interchange)
Travel time from Kolkata: 2–2.5 hours
Popular trains: Katwa Local, Howrah–Katwa Fast Passenger, Bandel–Katwa EMU
By Road Distance from Kolkata: Around 100 km
Route: NH19 → Bandel → Kalna Road
Direct buses available from: Esplanade, Babughat, Barasat (via Kalyani Expressway)
Travel time: 3–3.5 hours
A scenic drive along the Hooghly river belt, ideal for a festive family trip.
Saraswati Puja in West Bengal is a perfect blend of spirituality, art, youthfulness, and cultural essence. Whether it’s the grandeur of Kolkata, the traditional beauty of Midnapore, the riverside charm of Magra, or the heritage elegance of Ambika Kalna, each destination presents a unique experience.
This year, plan your Saraswati Puja tour across these four iconic places and immerse yourself in Bengal’s most serene yet vibrant festival.