The Hindu community is set to celebrate Saraswati Puja, worshiping the goddess of knowledge, music, art and culture, across the country today like elsewhere in the world amid much enthusiasm, festivity and religious fervor.
Saraswati Puja or Basanta Panchami falls on the fifth day of the Bengali month of Magh 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 fervor.
The students in particular seek blessings of goddess Saraswati in their pursuit of knowledge, art, music and culture.
In most temples, houses and educational institutions, the Puja will begin in between 8am to 10am today followed by 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.
However, the puja has been held at some temples, houses and educational institutions yesterday as the Tithi (occasion) to hold the puja began on Saturday morning and it will continue to today’s morning.
