Saraswati Puja, the festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswati—deity of knowledge, music, art, and culture—is being celebrated across the country today with great enthusiasm, festivity, and religious fervour.
Saraswati Puja, also known as Basant Panchami, falls on the fifth 'Tithi' of the Bengali month of Maagh. On this auspicious day, Hindus pay homage to Goddess Saraswati, seeking her blessings for wisdom and learning. A significant tradition observed on this day is "Hatekhori," the ritual of introducing children to education and learning. Toddlers are customarily given a slate and chalk to scribble with, marking the beginning of their academic journey.
The celebrations are taking place at major Hindu temples, schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions with traditional gaiety. The rituals commenced in the morning with prayers and offerings (Anjali) to Goddess Saraswati, followed by the "Hatekhori" ceremony. Later, Prashad (sacred food offerings) was distributed among devotees.
According to Hindu belief, Goddess Saraswati symbolizes power, creativity, and inspiration. She is depicted as a graceful woman with a crescent moon on her brow, riding a swan or peacock, or seated on a lotus flower, embodying purity and wisdom.
One of the grandest celebrations is taking place at Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, where a vast number of devotees and visitors have gathered since dawn. The puja at various pandals organized by different university departments began at around 9 AM, followed by anjali and other religious rites. The installation of idols at the pandals was completed at midnight before the day of the festival. The Jagannath Hall premises are expected to witness a continuous stream of devotees and visitors until midnight.
The university's largest dormitory has been adorned with puja pandals arranged by students from 72 departments. According to hall authorities, students of as many as 72 departments are arranging 72 puja pandals this year. The Fine Arts Faculty, as in previous years, has crafted a magnificent Saraswati idol using cork sheets, bamboo, and other materials, placed at the centre of a pond on the hall premises. This stunning idol serves as a major attraction for both devotees and visitors.
Apart from Dhaka University, Saraswati Puja is also being observed at Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramakrishna Mission, Jagannath University, Siddheswari Temple, the Supreme Court premises, and various locations across Old Dhaka, including Farashganj, Shakhari Bazar, and Tanti Bazar. Celebrations are also taking place at Banani, Dhaka College, Eden Girls' College, BUET, Ramna Kali Mandir, Maa Anandamayi Ashram, Tejgaon College, and Stamford University.
On Dhaka University campus, the puja is being organized at all-female dormitories, including Rokeya Hall, Samsun Nahar Hall, Bangladesh Kuwait Moitri Hall, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, and Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall. The Jagannath Hall administration has arranged the central puja at the dormitory's Upashanalay (place of worship), while hall employees have set up a separate pandal for worship.
Jagannath University is also hosting Saraswati Puja at multiple pandals, attracting a significant number of devotees and visitors in the historic part of the capital.
Beyond Dhaka, Saraswati Puja is being celebrated in temples, educational institutions, and homes across the country. Chattogram City and Madaripur district town, in particular, witness some of the largest celebrations of Saraswati Puja each year.
