Feature

Saraswati Puja in Dhaka University

Kazi Ahmed Farhan

Saraswati Puja, the ritual worship of the Goddess Saraswati, is done on the Vasant Panchami day every year. The festival is celebrated to pay obeisance to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and learning. Hindus all over the world as well as in Bangladesh celebrate this religious festival with great enthusiasm and Hindu temples and households are full of activity on this particular day.

Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahma and is the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. She is the personification of knowledge - arts, science and crafts. She represents shakti, 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.

Saraswati Puja is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Magha. The day is called 'Vasant Panchami'. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Saraswati was born.

On the Dhaka University campus, the Saraswati Puja was celebrated in Jagannath Hall, Bangladesh Kewait Moitri Hall, Ruqayyah Hall, Shamsun Nahar Hall and Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall.

I went to the Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University last Monday to have a look at Saraswati Puja celebration. The entire hall wore a festive look. It was nice to see the colourful canopy and mandops there. This year there were some changes and new addition for celebrating the Puja.

There was regular prayers and offerings to the Goddess. Alongside the Hindu students of the Jagannath Hall there friends belonging to other religions also enjoyed the colourful occasion with equal fervour.

The day had another significance as Hindu children are taught reading and writing their first words on this very special and auspicious day.

Interestingly, I saw people of all ages coming to the Puja venue with spouses or children to feel the vibration. It seemed to me an ocean that was made more colourful with the presence of people who expressed friendship.

In all 43 departments of Dhaka University created Mandops, and different departments tried to decorate the Goddess in a unique way. The Institute of Fine Arts placed the Goddess in the middle of the hall pond. Department of Law decorated their stall in the image of the central Shahid Minar. Department of Political Science placed the Goddess in a symbolic jail. Department of Marketing placed the Goddess in front of a snail.

The Goddess Saraswati was seen in many other styles. She was shown holding a book, wearing garlands of white pearls, holding pot of sacred water, holding a Bina with lotus flower and a white swan next to her feet.

Saraswati embodies wisdom, fortune, intelligence, nourishments, brilliance, contentment, splendour, and devotion. This will surely work for building a secular world and hold the unity by enlightening the soul through the light of knowledge.

Photo by Kazi Ahmed Farhan