Saraswati Puja in Kolkata is celebrated on the onset of the spring season. Usually the date is arranged in late January or early February. The Puja is also known by the name of Basanti Puja. Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of education and hence the worshipers mainly comprise students and people who are somehow associated with education and all forms of learning. Though Saraswati Puja is done all over north India. In Bengali homes, the method of Puja is unique. People of East Bengal observe different ritualistic rules. Women and girls of all age wear sari, preferably of 'basanti' shade of yellow color.
Public Celebration of Saraswati Puja
Domestic pujas apart, the goddess is also worshiped in most non- Christian Bengali medium schools. In schools, the students under the guidance of the teachers organize the Puja and also for the Bhog. Bhog comprises Khichuri and other cooked and uncooked food, which are offered to the goddess. After the conclusion of the pujas, the bhog is distributed among the devotees. If you visit Kolkata during the Saraswati pujas, you will also come across pandals on roads, where the idol of goddess Saraswati is worshiped. Many clubs, institutions and organizations arrange for functions and exhibitions.
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Sarawati Puja in Bengali Homes
Either the idol of goddess Saraswati or some symbolic substitute is worshiped. The symbolic substitute is either books, pens or musical instruments or 'ghot'. The ghot is a pot adorned with coconut, oiled-vermillion and cotton towel. The ghot is placed on a dried, thick, flattened mud platform. A priest is appointed to carry out the rituals of the Puja. It is mandatory to perform elaborate offerings called 'hom' if idols are worshiped. Otherwise, just fruits and sweets can be offered. Arati is an integral part of the puja. During arati, the priest welcomes the goddess with different types of lamps and chants sacred Sanskrit words. This is accompanied by the sound of bells, drums and blowing of shells. Along with goddess Saraswati, her husband, Narayan is also worshiped. People of east Bengali origin offer a pair of Hilsa fish and also prepare 'Gota Sheddho' a day after the puja. This apart, there are a number of other ritualistic moves.
Description of Idol of Goddess Sarawati
The idol is either adorned in sari or 'Daker Shaj'. In one hand, she holds the 'Vina'. At times a pen or book is seen on the other hand. Her bearer is the swan. One will come across idols of Sarawati both in seated and standing positions. The idols are mostly made by professionals of Kumartoli, a place in North Calcutta.
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