Shades of sunny yellow brightened homes and temples as Basant Panchami was celebrated, heralding the beginning of spring, and prayers offered to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, in the Delhi, Tuesday.
Saraswati puja, celebrated with enthusiasm by mainly the Bengali community, saw most young girls dressed in yellow saris while going to school for the special puja.
Saraswati, the consort of Lord Brahma and the goddess of wisdom, is said to have been born on Basant Panchami - the fifth day of the lunar month of Magh (which falls in January-February).
Yellow is the colour of the day, since it represents the season Vasant or spring. Hence Saraswati is worshipped with mainly marigolds and women adorn themselves in shades of the same colour.
The main feature of Saraswati Puja is that children are taught their first words on this day since it's an auspicious day to begin to read and write. This is why most of the educational institutes celebrate Saraswati Puja in a big way, something which the kids look forward to with a lot of enthusiasm.
Sanchari Das, for instance, can't imagine missing the celebrations in her school, come what may. "We dress up in yellow saris on this day and go to school for the pushpanjali (prayer) after which we generally go out with friends and have some fun," she told IANS.
{{/usCountry}}Sanchari Das, for instance, can't imagine missing the celebrations in her school, come what may. "We dress up in yellow saris on this day and go to school for the pushpanjali (prayer) after which we generally go out with friends and have some fun," she told IANS.
{{/usCountry}}"We keep our books before the goddess. The next day we take our books and after taking the goddess's blessings, begin our learning again," she said.