Today is the auspicious day of Saraswati Puja. It is also
known as "Sree Panchami" or "Basant Panchami". Every year
it is celebrated on "Magha shukla panchami". It marks the beginning
of spring season.
Maa Saraswati is the goddess of learning, music and knowledge. In Odia tradition, we bring the idols of Maa and worship her at our
homes, offices and colleges on this day.
She is dressed in a white sari, seen seated on a swan holding
a veena. White symbolizes 'purity' without any discrimination. It is believed
that those who start their education on this day become successful.Therefore,
young kids learn to write alphabets on their slate which is called "Khaddi
chuan" (khaddi meaning 'chalk' and chuan meaning 'touch'). A brahman
chants the holy mantras,performs havan (lights fire in a havan tank with
sandalwoods and ghee) and people sit with folded hands to gain her divine
blessings and to cast off their ignorance or hatred.
At the end we have the ritual of "Puspanjali" (i.e
adorning Maa with flowers at her feet).We offer different fruits
(apples,grapes,coconuts,bananas),sweets as"bhoga" to Maa and it is
distributed to the people as prasad.
May Maa Saraswati bless each one of us !
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