HINDUS begin and continue their quest for learning and knowledge by praying to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning!

Saraswati Puja is celebrated on the fifth day of magh ­— the 10th month of the Hindu calendar (February).

We are unlikely to remember the early days when we learnt to read or write.

The initiation to the alphabets and numbers, known as ‘hatey khari/vidya arambham’, often takes place on the auspicious day of Saraswati Puja, following which the individual journey continues in the various fields of arts and sciences, music and craft, etc, as per choice.

Saraswati is also known as a mythological river, the river of truth and wisdom; which removes darkness and purifies our mind. Similarities exist in the form of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom.

Saraswati Puja signifies the onset of spring in the tropics and bright colours especially yellow are worn by many of the students converging to pray in the temples or makeshift temples called pandals.

After the prayers, kite flying is part of the revelries on the day along with a vegetarian feast.

Kaushik Chakraborty

Hindu faith

Altrincham Interfaith Group