A complete step-by-step guide to performing the puja at home.
Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati
Bathe early and wear yellow clothes — the colour of mustard flowers blooming across India in early spring. Saraswati is traditionally worshipped in yellow.
Sit facing east or north. Hold water, akshat (unbroken rice), and a flower in your right palm. The Sankalp mantra below is pre-filled with today's panchang (tithi, nakshatra, samvat year, lunar month, and weekday) — only the bracketed cues marked [say "…"] remain for you to fill in: your city, your gotra, and your full name. Women replace गोत्रोत्पन्नः with गोत्रोत्पन्ना. Release the water, akshat, and flower onto a plate as you finish the mantra.
ॐ विष्णुर्विष्णुर्विष्णुः। श्रीमद्भगवतो महापुरुषस्य विष्णोराज्ञया प्रवर्तमानस्य अद्य ब्रह्मणो द्वितीये परार्धे श्वेतवाराहकल्पे वैवस्वतमन्वन्तरे कलियुगे प्रथमचरणे जम्बूद्वीपे भारतवर्षे भरतखण्डे आर्यावर्तान्तर्गते [say "your city name"] नगरे, विक्रम संवत्सरे 2083 (सिद्धार्थी) वत्सरे, माघ मासे, शुक्ल पक्षे, पंचमी तिथौ, गुरुवासरे, रेवती नक्षत्रे, [say "your gotra, e.g. Kashyapa"] गोत्रोत्पन्नः, [say "your full name"] नामाहम्, सकल दुरित क्षय पूर्वक सकल अभीष्ट सिद्ध्यर्थं श्री सरस्वती प्रीत्यर्थं श्री सरस्वती वसन्त पञ्चमी पूजनम् अहं करिष्ये।
The tithi, nakshatra, lunar month, weekday and samvat year in the mantra above are for Basant Panchami Saraswati Puja's upcoming date: Thursday, 11 February 2027. These values auto-update each year.
Place the Saraswati idol or image on a yellow-cloth-covered chowki. Place all books, musical instruments, pens, and learning tools before her — they will receive her blessing and not be used for the day out of respect.
Worship Lord Ganesha first with durva, yellow flowers, and modak.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
Invoke Goddess Saraswati into the idol by chanting her dhyana mantra. Visualise her seated on a white lotus or swan, dressed in white or yellow, holding the veena, a book, and a mala.
या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना। या ब्रह्माच्युतशङ्करप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥
Perform the sixteen upacharas — Asana, Padya, Arghya, Achamaniya, Snana (panchamrit), Vastra (yellow cloth), Gandha (chandan), Akshat, Pushpa (yellow marigold), Dhupa, Deepa, Naivedya (kesari bhaat, besan laddoo), Tambula, Pradakshina, Namaskar.
ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः॥
Recite the Saraswati Vandana (from the Markandeya Purana), the Saraswati Stotra by Agastya Muni, or the Saraswati Ashtakam. Students especially chant 'Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah' 108 times on a rudraksha mala.
सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि। विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा॥
Young children who are beginning their education perform their first writing (Vidyarambha) today. A grain of rice is used to write 'Om' or 'Sa Ra Sva Ti' on a tray of rice. This first step is said to bring the goddess's blessings on the child's entire educational journey.
Perform the Saraswati Aarti with camphor — singing 'Om Jai Saraswati Mata'. Ring the bell throughout. Let every devotee (especially students) take the camphor flame for blessings.
ॐ जय सरस्वती माता, मैया जय सरस्वती माता।
Distribute the naivedya — yellow sweets (kesari bhaat, besan laddoo), jalebi, and ber fruit — as prasad. Children sit with their books and instruments before the goddess — avoiding use of them for the day as a mark of respect. Donate books or educational materials to needy students in her honour.
This guide reflects classical Parashari tradition. Regional variations exist — consult a family priest for specifics.
