Join us for BACV’s cherished annual celebration of the Autumn Festival and Saraswati Puja, taking place on Saturday, 24 January 2026. This auspicious day in the Bengali calendar is traditionally considered ideal for embarking on new journeys—be it marriage, launching a business, beginning a new academic year, or moving into a new home.
Saraswati Puja honors the goddess of wisdom, learning, and the arts. The festival is steeped in vibrant symbolism, with yellow as its signature color—representing purity, knowledge, and the blossoming of intellect. Coinciding with the season of love and Valentine’s Day, the celebration also embraces the spirit of affection and renewal.
BACV has proudly hosted this festival for many years, blending cultural performances, devotional rituals, and community spirit. Whether you’re seeking blessings, artistic inspiration, or simply a joyful gathering, this event welcomes all with open arms.
Stay tuned for program details and registration links.

BACV Autumn Festival & Saraswati Puja – 24 January 2026

Stay tuned for program details and registration links

What Is Saraswati Puja?
Saraswati Puja, also known as Vasant Panchami, is a Hindu festival dedicated to Maa Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, art, and wisdom. Celebrated on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Magh (January–February), it marks the onset of spring and is considered one of the most auspicious days for starting new ventures, especially related to learning and creativity.

✨ Cultural Significance

• Goddess Saraswati is depicted as a serene figure dressed in white, seated on a lotus or swan, holding a veena (symbol of music), a book (symbol of learning), and a rosary (symbol of spiritual knowledge).
• The festival celebrates the triumph of wisdom over ignorance and is deeply rooted in the values of education, clarity, and artistic expression.
• In Bengal, Saraswati Puja is a major cultural event, observed in homes, schools, and community spaces with devotion and joy.

📚 Rituals and Traditions

• Yellow is the colour of the day, symbolizing prosperity, energy, and intellect. Devotees wear yellow garments and offer yellow flowers and sweets to the goddess.
• Books, musical instruments, and tools of learning are placed before the deity and worshipped, signifying reverence for knowledge.
• Many students avoid touching books on this day, believing that Saraswati resides in them during the puja.
• In South India, the festival coincides with Vidyarambham, a ceremony where young children are formally introduced to learning.

🌸 A Day for New Beginnings
Saraswati Puja is considered an ideal time to:

• Begin academic studies or artistic pursuits
• Move into a new home or start a business
• Celebrate engagements or marriages
• Launch creative or educational projects
  It’s also a time of community bonding, with cultural programs, poetry, music, and dance performances often accompanying the rituals.

❤️ Love and Learning
Coinciding with the season of Valentine’s Day, Saraswati Puja beautifully blends the themes of love and learning. It’s a day to honour both the heart and the mind—celebrating affection, clarity, and the joy of shared knowledge.