City Desk :
Saraswati Puja, worshiping the Goddess of knowledge, music, art and culture has been celebrated across the country amid much enthusiasm, festivity and religious fervor.
Saraswati Puja or Basant Panchami falls on the fifth ‘Tithi’ of the Bengali month of Maagh each year when Hindus worship goddess Saraswati.
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 are celebrating the festival with traditional gaiety and religious fervor.
The festivities at the Jagannath Hall premises kicked off with the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and the arts, on Monday.
Devotees participated in various rituals, including offering flowers at the goddess’s feet and performing Bani Archona. The priest officially began the Puja around 7:30 am with the Bani Archona and the flower offerings commencing at 8:30 am.
This year, 74 pavilions have been set up for the Saraswati Puja at the Jagannath Hall playground. Additionally, separate celebrations have been organised at the girls’ halls, including Rokeya Hall and Shamsunnahar Hall.
Devotees believe that on the fifth day of the month of Magh, Debi Saraswati, symbolising truth, justice, and knowledge, arrives in the world riding a white swan. On this day, Hindus across the country observe worship to honour the goddess.
Since early morning, people from diverse walks of life have gathered at Jagannath Hall to take part in the puja. Raja Talukdar, a student from Jagannath Hall, shared, “This Saraswati Puja has become deeply ingrained in the history of Dhaka University and the nation.
It serves as a remarkable example of unity, and we hope this tradition continues for generations.
