Saraswati Puja today

The Hindu community is celebrating 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.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted members of the Hindu community on the occasion of the Saraswati Puja.

In separate messages on the eve of the religious festival, they wished success of all the programmes.

In his message, President Abdul Hamid said Saraswati Puja is a very popular religious festival in Bangladesh.

The participation of all irrespective of caste, creed and religion in the festival has added a new dimension to the non-communal spirit and heritage of the country, he added.

“Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony,” the President said and urged all to make contributions from their respective positions to further consolidate this harmony.

He expressed his firm belief that the nation would be able to build ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with concerted efforts by members of all communities.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony where all people irrespective of religions and castes have complete freedom to practice their respective religions.

She said people of all religions are living in the country together for hundreds of years.

“Our Constitution guarantees equal rights of all religions and castes,” she said.

The Prime Minister said religion is for individuals but festivals are for all, so people of all religions together celebrate festivals of all religions in the country.

She said goddess Saraswati is the symbol of truth, justice and knowledge.

The Prime Minister urged members of the Hindu community, on the occasion of Saraswati Puja, to devote them for the country’s progress with acquiring knowledge.

Saraswati, a mythological companion of Lord Brahma, is the personification of knowledge - arts, science and crafts.

According to Hindu faith, she 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 Hindus worship Saraswati coinciding with the "Vasant Panchami" day with pomp and decor everybody. Traditionally Hindu children are introduced to education and learning on Saraswati Puja and this ritual is called as "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 places including the Dakeshwari National Temple, the Puja will begin at 8:00am with the offering of "anjali", which will be followed by "hatekhori" (introduction to learning of children) and distribution of prashad.

In the capital, Saraswati Puja will be celebrated at Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, Dhakeswari temple, Ram Krishna Mission, Jaganntah University, Siddheswari temple, Supreme Court premises, Farashganj, Shakhari Bazar, Tanti Bazar and different places of old Dhaka, Banani, Dhaka College, Eden Girls' College.

Besides, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Ram Krishna Mission and Math, Ramna Kali Mandir and Maa Anandamayi Ashram, Tejgaon College, Stamford University and different educational institutions in the city will also observe the puja.

On Dhaka University campus, the Puja is also organized at Jagannath Hall, Rokeya Hall, Shamsun Nahar Hall, Bangladesh Kuwait Moitri Hall, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall and Sufia Kamal Hall under the auspices of the students.

Dhaka/Tipu/AI