DHAKA: Saraswati Puja was celebrated throughout the country on Tuesday with traditional gaiety, religious fervour and spirit of pursuit of art and knowledge which Goddess Saraswati provides.
The Hindus worship Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, music, art and culture, on the Vasant Panchami day with pomp and decor every year mostly in educational institutions, where the students seek the blessings of Goddess Saraswati.
On this auspicious day, Hindu children are also imparted their first lessons in reading and writing.
On the eve of Puja, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a message, greeted all members of the Hindu community.
The Prime Minister said Devi Saraswati is the symbol of the light of knowledge, justice and truth, and goddess of learning, messages and melody.
She also said Bangladesh is the country of communal harmony and the people of all faiths have been living here together peacefully since long.
In the capital, Saraswati Puja was celebrated at Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, Dhakeswari temple, Jaganntah University, Siddheswari temple, Ram Krishna Mission, Supreme Court premises, Farashganj, Shakhari Bazar, Tanti Bazar and different places of Old Dhaka, Banani, Dhaka College, Eden Girls` College, 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.
On Dhaka University campus, the Puja is organized at Jagannath Hall, Rokeya Hall, Shamsun Nahar Hall, Bangladesh Kuwait Moitri Hall and Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall.
Students from 55 departments of the university have made arrangements for the puja on the Jagannath Hall playground this year.
Saraswati, a mythological companion of Lord Brahma, is the personification of knowledge - arts, science and crafts. She represents power, creativity and inspiration and presents herself when the weather is pleasant and nature is in its full grandeur. It is a season of inspiration and passion.
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.
BDST: 1311 HRS, FEB 04, 2014
