Saraswati Pooja

Saraswati Pooja is also known as Vasant Panchami. It is held on the fifth day of the fortnignt of the lunar month Magh Shukla.  Generally, the day falls in the month of January or February and holds a seasonal and religious significance for a Hindu. Though it has its significance for people all over the world, it is celebrated in a grand way in the states of Bihar, Bengal and Orissa. The students love this festival as goddess Saraswati is the embodiment of knowledge, learning, fine arts and refinement. Kids are taught their first word on this day because it is considered auspicious for their better learning in future. Musicians and instrumentalists consider it auspicious for their career to present their first performance on this day after seeking the blessings of goddess Saraswati.

This day declares the onset of spring season and a gentle departure to winter season. Small to huge pandaals are erected to establish the idols of goddess Saraswati, Brahma, the Creator's consort, in many schools and official buildings. Goddess Saraswati is dressed and adorned with a pure white garland and robe. There is a Veena, a stringed musical instrument in her hands, a book in her lower left hand and she is seated on a lotus in padmasana.  

People are piously dressed, especially in yellow robes to join pooja and other rituals. As is customary, students put their notebooks, pen or pencils at her feet to get the blessings and they use it later for writing on that notebook. A hundi or a box is put up, in which students drop a small note mentioning their name, roll number and class. People offer sugarcane, plum, apples, dates and bananas to the deity. These offerings are picked from the feet of the goddess and distributed among the devotees as prasaad. Bhajan Sandhyas are held in which people sing and dance joyfully. Kite-flying is also considered auspicious on this day after performing pooja. It is a manner of pleasing the goddess to bless them with positive energy by making the body free of lethargy. It is the day of joy and happiness for the students and they look forward to their participation in pooja every year.