allahabad basant panchami that marks the beginning of spring and holi season was celebrated on tuesday it was marked by worshipping goddess saraswati the goddess of knowledge music art and culture and prayers in various educational institutions women of the sangam city were seen wearing yellow dresses prayers were offered in various schools wherein students recited saraswati vandana and sought blessings of the goddess of knowledge the beautifully decorated idols of goddess saraswati were installed in schools the bright sunshine enabled the denizens to celebrate the day by taking a holy dip in ganga and enjoy flying kites even the first log of holika was put up at various crossings of the city pandit ram naresh tripathi said that basant panchami also referred to as saraswati puja shree panchami or the basant festival of kites is a sikh and hindu festival held on the fifth day of magha in early february month and marks the start of spring and the holi season on this day hindus worship saraswati devi in modern times however basant panchami day is more commonly associated with maa saraswati the goddess of learning wisdom knowledge fine arts refinement science and technology people worship goddess saraswati to attain enlightenment through knowledge and to rid themselves of lethargy sluggishness and ignorance he added