Staff Reporter:
Saraswati Puja, worshiping the Goddess of learning, will be celebrated across the country today amid much enthusiasm, festivity and religious fervor.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in separate messages, greeted the members of the Hindu community on the occasion of the Saraswati Puja.
Saraswati Puja or Basant Panchami falls on the fifth ‘Tithi’ of the Bengali month of Maagh 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 auspi-cious 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.
