Sri Panchami

Odia

Also known as: Vasant Panchami, Saraswati Puja

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2026 Odia Date

Sri Panchami

About Sri Panchami

Sri Panchami, or Vasant Panchami, is celebrated in Odisha on the fifth day of the bright fortnight in Magha month (January-February). It is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, and the arts.

Students and scholars celebrate with great enthusiasm, wearing yellow attire and offering prayers at schools and colleges. The goddess is adorned with white flowers alongside books and musical instruments.

In Odisha, the festival is marked by the initiation of young children into learning (haate khori), where children write their first letters as an invocation to the goddess.

Saraswati Puja is a beloved festival reflecting the deep respect for education in Odia culture. Pandals are set up in schools and neighbourhoods with beautifully decorated Saraswati idols.

Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules

Students observe a light fast until the evening puja is completed.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

Wear yellow clothes as the colour of spring.
Place books and instruments before the goddess.
Observe a light fast, consuming only fruits and milk.
Participate in pushpanjali and receive prasad.

Parana (Breaking Fast) Note: The fast is broken after Saraswati Puja with prasad and khichuri.

Puja Samagri & Ritual Steps

Essential Puja Samagri:

Saraswati idol or pictureWhite flowers and white clothBooks, pens, and musical instrumentsIncense sticks and earthen lampsKhichuri and sweets

Puja Procedure:

Clean the puja area and set up the Saraswati idol.
Place books and instruments before the goddess.
Offer white flowers and sandalwood paste.
Light incense and earthen lamps.
Perform pushpanjali and distribute khichuri prasad.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is Haate Khori?

Haate Khori is the Odia tradition of initiating young children into learning on Sri Panchami. The child writes their first letters as an invocation to Goddess Saraswati.

Note: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of the selected location with DST adjustment (if applicable).

Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang, a day starts and ends with local sunrise.