C T Online Desk: Feb 4, 2022- The Hindu community is set to celebrate Saraswati Puja, worshiping the goddess of knowledge, music, art and
culture, across the country tomorrow, maintaining health safety
guidelines.
In separate messages, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina today greeted the members of the Hindu community on the
occasion of the Saraswati Puja.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said Saraswati Puja is one of
the most popular religious festivals in Bangladesh.
The participation of all in this festival irrespective of religion,
caste and community has added a different dimension to the
non-communal consciousness and tradition of this country, he said,
adding that human civilisation is gradually being developed through
the practice of knowledge.
Devotees perform this puja with an aim of gaining the grace of Sri
Sri Saraswati Devi in acquiring knowledge, the President said.
He hoped that being enlightened through the light of knowledge,
every one of the country will be freed from communalism, ignorance and
cowardice and they will come forward to build a prosperous and
developed society.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said Goddess
Saraswati is the symbol of truth, justice and enlightenment, while she
is the bearer of knowledge, words and melody.
On this occasion, she urged all members of the Hindu community to
devote themselves to the advancement of the country by acquiring
knowledge.
Sheikh Hasina requested all to observe the puja following the
health guidelines and maintaining social distancing in this critical
time of coronavirus.
On the day of Saraswati Puja, children are traditionally introduced
to education and learning and this ritual is called “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.
The most decorative and gorgeous celebration of Saraswati Puja is
usually arranged on the premises of Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University
where a huge number of devotees and crowd throng to perform the
religious rituals and visit the pandals circled on the playground of
the university’s largest dormitory.
The rituals of Saraswati Puja will begin tomorrow morning at temples
and educational institutions and residences followed by offering of
‘Anjali’, distribution of Prashad, cultural function, discussion and
rendering of devotional songs.
Then children will be imparted “Hatekhori” (introduction to
learning) and later prashad (foodstuff devoted to the goddess) will be
distributed among the devotees.
According to Hindu faith, goddess Saraswati represents power,
creativity and inspiration and presents herself when the weather is
pleasant and nature is in its full grandeur.
Depicted as a graceful goddess with a crescent moon adorning her
brow, she is shown riding a swan or a peacock or is seated on a lotus
flower.
The Puja will also be arranged at Dhakeswari National Temple,
Jagannath Hall, Ram Krishna Mission, Siddheswari Temple, Farashganj,
Shakhari Bazar, Tanti Bazar and different other places in old Dhaka,
Banani, Ramna Kali Mandir and Maa Anandamayi Ashram and different
educational institutions in the city.
