Vasant Panchami is referred to as the spring festival, and signifies the beginning of Vasant Ritu (spring season). Magh Sud 5 (5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magh) is the day of Vasant Panchami. It is also called as Shree Panchami and Saraswati Puja is also celebrated on the same day.

This is a festival in which their is ceremonial welcome to spring on the fifth day of the waxing moon of Magh, when Saraswati, Shiva- Durga and Vishnu – Lakshmi are worshiped. In west Bengal, Saraswati (the goddess of learning) is worshipped.

On this day, people colourfully attired, especially in bright shades of yellow, dance and sing and make merry. Yellow colour signifies maturity and ripeness-a glow of all that is auspicious to a Hindu mindset. A grand puja is held for goddess Saraswathi, the goddess of creativity who is the wife of Brahma, the source of creation.

The most significant aspect of this day is that Hindu children are taught reading and writing their first words on this day - as it is considered an auspicious day to begin a child's education. Educational institutions organize special prayers for Saraswati on this day. The great Indian guru Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya laid the foundations of the world-class academic institution, Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya on Vasant Panchami.