New Delhi: Saraswati Puja is the most divine time of the year, celebrated each year on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magha, which usually falls in the month of January or February. This festival marks the arrival of the spring season and is dedicated to goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, wisdom, learning of music, dance and education. On this day, students worship the goddess and pay their honours to bless them with good fortune.
As an offering, they also prepare yellow-coloured food for bhog or Kesari halwa, which is the most beloved of the goddess. Here is a simple recipe that you can use to make bhog at your home and offer to goddess Saraswati on the occasion of Vasant Panchami on January 23, 2026.
Kesari Halwa recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup sooji/rava (semolina)
- ¾ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup milk (optional for richness)
- 4–5 tablespoons ghee
- A generous pinch of saffron strands (kesar)
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 8–10 cashews
- 8–10 raisins
- 1 tablespoon slivered almonds (optional)
Method to cook:
- Warm the milk and soak the saffron for 5 minutes.
- In a heavy-bottomed pan, warm the ghee. Add cashews and saute until golden.
- Add raisins and allow them to cook.
- Add the sooji in the same pan and roast it until golden brown.
- Stir continuously until cooked and roast properly.
- Take another saucepan, heat water and sugar together.
- Add saffron-infused milk and cardamom powder.
- Boil it for 5 minutes.
- Now pour the hot liquid into the roasted semolina and keep stirring.
- Cook the mixture for 4 minutes until it thickens and leaves the pan.
- Add fried cashews and raisins.
- Turn off the heat and let the halwa set for 5 minutes.
Preparing Kesari halwa for Saraswati Puja bhog is one of the most significant rituals that is followed in all homes espically in the region of Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. People celebrate the festival with happiness and great gestures to impress Maa Saraswati.
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