Saraswati Puja today

Saraswati Puja, worshipping the Goddess of knowledge, music, art and culture, is being celebrated across the country on Wednesday amid much enthusiasm, festivity and religious fervour.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in separate messages, greeted the members of the Hindu community on the occasion of the Saraswati Puja.

Saraswati Puja or Basant Panchami falls on the fifth 'Tithi' of the Bengali month of Maagh each year when Hindus worship goddess Saraswati to mark the coming of spring.

Traditionally children are introduced to education and learning on the day of Saraswati Puja and this ritual is called "Hatekhori". Toddlers are usually given a slate and chalk to scribble with on the auspicious day.

Major Hindu temples, schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions stage the festival with traditional gaiety and religious fervour.

The students in particular seek the blessings of Goddess Saraswati in their pursuit of knowledge, art, music and culture.

In most temples, houses and educational institutions, the Puja began in the morning to be followed by the offering of "Anjali". Then the children will be imparted "hatekhori" (introduction to learning of children) and later prashad (foodstuff devoted to the goddess) will be distributed among devotees.

According to the Hindu faith, the goddess Saraswati represents power, creativity and inspiration and presents herself when the weather is pleasant and nature is in its full grandeur.

Depicted as a graceful woman with a crescent moon adorning her brow, she is shown riding a swan or a peacock or is seated on a lotus flower.

The most anticipated Saraswati Puja will be arranged on the premises of Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University where a huge number of devotees and crowds will throng to perform the religious rituals and visit the pandals circled on the playground of the university's largest dormitory.

Puja will also be arranged at Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ram Krishna Mission, Jagannath University, Siddheswari Temple, Supreme Court premises, Farashganj, Shakhari Bazar, Tanti Bazar and other places in old Dhaka, Banani, Dhaka College, Eden Girls' College, BUET, Ramna Kali Mandir and Maa Anandamayi Ashram, Tejgaon College, Stamford University and different educational institutions in the city.

On the Dhaka University campus, the Puja is also organized at all-female dormitories -- Rokeya Hall, Samsun Nahar Hall, Bangladesh Kuwait Moitri Hall, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall and Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall.

Jagannath Hall administration is organizing the dormitory's central puja at the dormitory's Upashanalay (place of prayers) while employees of the hall have staged several pandals to worship Saraswati.

/KN/