Goddess Saraswati is Hindu Goddess of learning, knowledge and wisdom. Saraswati puja aka Basant Panchami is celebrated in almost every part of India. Saraswati puja take place on Basant Panchami which falls typically in the month of late January-February. It marks the beginning of Spring (Basant/ Bosonto ). However, Bengal celebrate this festival with greatest enthusiasm. In almost every household of West Bengal , Saraswati puja is celebrated with immense devotion. It is a much awaited day specially for the youth society, because Saraswati puja is also known as Bengali’s Valentines Day :-). For teenage boys and girls it’s a great opportunity to interact with each other freely without drawing undesired attention ;-) :-p .
Color yellow plays very significant role in this festival. You can say , yellow is the theme color for this festival. Young girls drape themselves in yellow colored saree (we say “Baasonti”), where young boys drape themselves in yellow kurta (Sherwani). Yellow colored flowers such as “Marigold” are offered to Goddess Saraswati. Without Marigold one cannot even think of Saraswati Puja. Another flower named “Polash” is also offered to the deity which depends on it’s market availability. Goddess Saraswati also known as “Polash-Priya” in Bengal.
The food that is prepared on that day are also yellow in color. Typically on this particular day every house of Bengal cook “Niramish Khichuri” i.e. a yellow mixture of rice and moong daal (lentils) without onion and garlic. It is a staple food for all bongs on the day of Saraswati puja. Another Bengali dish named “Kool-er chutney” (Indian palm jam) made on this day and served with khichuri/khichdi. we don’t eat “Kool” before Saraswati puja. You must be wondering that why nobody eat “Kool” (pronounce it as cool) before Saraswati Puja !! :-D . “Kool” is known as “ber” in other part of India i believe so if I am wrong then please rectify.
Another traditional dish that is only made in the evening of the Saraswati Puja and have it on the very next day following age old practice is “Gota Sedhho”( Bengali thick Veggie and lentil soup). I have grown up eating this that too only once in a year during this festival.
On the day of puja all the study related items such as study books, pen, pencils etc are placed near the Idol of the goddess, to seek her blessings. Well, I remember I used to place almost all of my study books near Idol because rituals says none of things placed near the Idol are used on the day of the puja and one must not study on this day. Beside study materials one can place any items related to musics such as guitar, harmonium etc.
“Hatey-Khori” is an auspicious rituals or ceremony that takes place on the very same day of Saraswati puja where small children are made to write alphabets for the first time in front of the deity. It’s a common practice in West Bengal and It’s a belief that if a child start writings in front of the deity, he/she would be blessed by Goddess and will do very well in their education in future.
Not only every house holds of Bengal, even every schools under state board perform Saraswati Puja. It is a huge celebration within school . From decorations to cultural program to puja preparation everything gets done by teachers and students. I miss old school days and the fever of Saraswati puja very much. It’s a complete nostalgia right now.
P.S. as currently we are situated in foreign land , as a result we were miles away from this festival and it’s vibes but our true Bengali spirit didn’t allow us to stay away from it. So we arranged Saraswati Puja and celebrated it in our traditional way (as much as we can). Here are some pics from our celebration.
Well, I tried to pen down every small thing related Saraswati puja in Bengal. I wanted to share the details with all of you. Hope my readers will enjoy while reading.
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