Vasant Panchmi
Vasant Panchami is a Hindu festival that marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magha (January/February). It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess of knowledge and learning, Saraswati. On this day, people pray to the goddess for wisdom, knowledge, and good luck in their studies and exams.
The festival is celebrated by visiting temples dedicated to Saraswati, where special prayers and ceremonies are held. People also visit schools, colleges and other educational institutions to offer prayers and perform special puja. Yellow is the color of the day and people dress in yellow clothes to mark the occasion. Many people also prepare sweet dishes with saffron, the color of the goddess, as an offering.
On Vasant Panchami, it is also a tradition to initiate young children into the world of learning, writing and reading by giving them their first lesson in writing on this day. It is believed that blessings of the goddess will help them to excel in their education.
In addition to the religious significance, Vasant Panchami is also celebrated as a cultural festival, with folk music and dances, and kite flying, to welcome the spring season and its beauty.
It's celebrated throughout India and Nepal, but with different customs and traditions, depending on the region.