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Saraswati Hindu goddess of learning and the wife
of brahma,
the Creator. She is represented as fair and wearing a white sari and
a garland of white beads, the whiteness symbolising her purity. She carries
a kachchhapi vina and is mounted on a swan. Saraswati is also known
as Bharati, Vinapani, etc. As the goddess of learning, she
is specially worshipped by Hindu students. Her devotees believe that even
an ignorant person can acquire knowledge through her blessings.
Saraswati Puja takes place on Shripanchami, the fifth
day of the lunar month, in Magh. Though her puja
is mainly observed in academic institutions, some Hindu families
also arrange this worship is privately.
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Saraswati
puja, Jagannath Hall, Dhaka University |
During the puja, Hindu students place their textbooks
and pens on her altar along with the sacred books. All general academic
institutions remain closed on this occasion.
The Saraswati is also a river which meets the ganges
and the padma
at Prayaga, popularly known as Sangama (confluence). This
place is considered very holy by Hindus, who believe that they must visit
Prayaga at least once in their lives.
[S Ranganath] |
