Basant Panchami Bhog 2026: The festival of Basant Panchami is not only a celebration of blooming flowers and the vibrant colors of nature, but also a sacred day for worshipping Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. On this day, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped in every home, and special offerings are made to please her.
The most important of these offerings is yellow sweet rice, also known as ‘Zarda Pulao’ or ‘Kesari Bhaat’. It is believed that this rice, fragrant with ghee and saffron, is very dear to Goddess Saraswati and brings happiness, prosperity, and new positive energy into the home.
So, this Basant Panchami 2026, let us share with you an easy and traditional recipe for making fluffy yellow sweet rice to offer to Goddess Saraswati.
Ingredients for Yellow Sweet Rice
Basmati rice – 1 cup (soaked for 30 minutes)
Sugar – 3/4 cup (or to taste)
Ghee – 3-4 tablespoons
Saffron – 15-20 strands (soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm milk)
Yellow food coloring (optional) – a pinch
Dry fruits – Cashews, almonds, raisins, and finely chopped dry coconut
Cardamom – 2 green cardamom pods (crushed)
Cloves – 3-4
Cinnamon – 1 small piece
Water – enough to boil the rice
Instructions (Step-by-Step Recipe)
Boiling the Rice
In a large pot, bring 4-5 cups of water to a boil with a pinch of yellow food coloring and the saffron milk.
Now add the soaked rice and cook on medium heat until about 70-80% done. Make sure the rice is not overcooked and the grains remain separate.
Once the rice is cooked, drain it in a sieve and set aside. Remove any excess water.
Roasting Nuts and Spices
Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a pan or wok. Add the chopped cashews, almonds, and coconut to the pan and roast until lightly golden brown. Finally, add the raisins and remove all the nuts from the pan and set them aside.
In the same pan, add cloves, cardamom, and a piece of cinnamon stick to the remaining ghee and sauté. When a fragrant aroma is released, add the boiled rice.
Sweetening and Cooking the Rice
Pour the sugar and the remaining saffron milk over the rice.
Now, gently mix the rice and sugar so that the rice grains don’t break.
Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook on very low heat for 5-7 minutes. This will allow the sugar to melt and be absorbed by the rice, and the saffron color to infuse.
Once the sugar syrup has dried up and the rice is fully cooked, turn off the gas.
Add the roasted nuts on top and cover the pan again. Let the rice steam for 5 minutes to set.
Offering as Prasad
Transfer the hot rice to a clean bowl. When offering the prasad, be sure to include a fresh tulsi (holy basil) leaf. Then offer this sweet dish to Goddess Saraswati.
Pro Tips for Perfect Rice
Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the water while boiling the rice. This will prevent the rice grains from sticking together and keep them fluffy.
For extra fragrance, you can add half a teaspoon of cardamom powder after the rice is cooked.
Always use good quality Basmati rice.
After offering the prasad, don’t forget to distribute it among all the family members and guests.
The festival of Basant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of the month of Magha according to the Hindu calendar. In 2026, this festival falls on Thursday, January 22nd.
The color yellow is deeply associated with this festival, as it is considered a symbol of spring, flowers, knowledge, and joy.
Goddess Saraswati is considered the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, music, and arts. The tradition of offering sweet dishes to her is centuries old. By preparing this simple and delicious dish on this auspicious day, you can not only receive the blessings of the goddess but also create a joyful atmosphere at home. Happy Basant Panchami to all!