Saraswati Pujo: Why Is It Called The Bong Valentine's Day?

Vasant Panchami, also known as Saraswati Puja in West Bengal, holds great anticipation for many young students in the state. In Kolkata, Saraswati Puja is fondly referred to as 'Bong's Valentine’s Day.' On this day, the whole of Bengal gets to see young couples twinning in traditional attires, mostly yellow in colour and walking hand in hand. What could be a better time to celebrate teenage love than springtime or Boshonto, the other name for love? Schools and colleges in Bengal remain open for celebration and students find another excuse to start a love story.

Love is in the air

Saraswati Puja is the only day when students are allowed to take a break from their studies. Their books are all kept at the feet of Goddess Saraswati for her to bless them. They are then free to hang out with their friends. Of course, that special friend is going to be a part of the gang. It's that day of the year when Bengali girls and boys get all decked up and go on their first date.

The fading away of winter, flowers blossoming and the chirping of birds make Vasant Panchami the perfect day to celebrate love. Needless to say, it's the best time to snuggle under trees or pay a visit to the phuchka and ice cream stalls with the love of your life. On the auspicious occasion of Saraswati Puja, casual love affairs may turn into serious relationships and you never know, you can magically find your life partner by the grace of Ma Saraswati.

The day of ethnic love

The beauty of the Bong Valentine's Day lies in its ethnicity. You can find couples donning traditional clothes and making the day a memorable one with their partners. Girls in Sarees and boys in kurta payjama go pandal hopping to enjoy some quality time together. Bongs will explain how the entire Valentine's week starting from Hug Day to Valentine's Day is becoming more and more commercialised but Saraswati Puja has retained its purity since time immemorial.

Saraswati Puja: Why Is It Called The Bengali Valentine's Day? And What makes it so unique

It's a super cute sight to see how youngsters turn into poets and musicians on this day. They compose love poems and songs for their soulmates, which is a typically old-school method to express your romantic feelings. In a world that's becoming materialistic with every passing day, finding couples who still believe in ishq wala love is not only adorable but also praiseworthy.

The mandatory visit to Prinsep Ghat

Saraswati Puja is also a day for all singles to chill. Prinsep Ghat in Kolkata happens to be the hub of school and college-going students to celebrate the festival. The scenic beauty and picture-worthy location also attract couples and its not unusual to see them spending their cosy time in the open air. You might get a little uncomfortable but just try looking elsewhere just in case you don't want to be blamed for voyeurism.

We hope you enjoy the festival to the fullest with the blessings of Goddess Saraswati. This festive season, don't hold yourself back from expressing your feelings to that special person. Wishing all of you a very happy Saraswati Puja aka Bong Valentine's Day.

Views expressed by the author are their own