Today is Saraswati pujo or Basant panchami. This festival is as important in a Bengali family as Onam to Tamilians or a Laxmi puja in Gujarat. Devi Saraswati the famous daughter of Lord Shiva and parvati is also known as the goddess of knowledge, science, music and fine arts. She represents wisdom and inner consciousness. This day is also marked as the first day of Basant where crops are full with a hue of gold and the village life bursts with freshness. It is also believed that Goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of wisdom and speech. Saraswati puja is celebrated in India, Bangladesh and Nepal.
We Are All “Yellow”
Normally Saraswati puja is celebrated to welcome the advent of Basant or the Spring season (the king of all seasons). According to Hindu calendar, it’s being held at the Magh sud 5 or the 5th day lunar month of Magh. Today is also considered as Annbhuj Mahurta which means an extremely auspicious day where marriages and other events can be performed even without the reference of panchaang (Hindu calendar). It is indeed a special event in every Bengali family because of the association of knowledge, learning and intellect. Marigold (genda phool), khoi, palash phool and wild berries are a must on list offered to Devi Saraswati’s deity followed by an intricate puja, done to the sound of Saraswati mantra, conch shells and dhak with gaiety.
No Study Day : Style Divas
When I was in school this particular day had more than one reason to bring a smile on my face. We had this liberty to not to study on this day. We had strict instructions by parents not to touch books, what a glory, a contrast compared to other mundane days of my life then. Whichever subject I needed a divine help, the books were instantly found near at the feet of the deity at the puja block organized by the local bong community. In my case it was either Chemistry or Hindi. Dhoti clad bhodroloks came with wives draped in cotton yellow or white silk sarees. Women dress up at their best this day. Complete with long wavy hair, stylish sandals, a shiny tiara the girls and women looked straight out of a Nalli saree advertisement or one from a Ballygunge’s Dhokhinapan super store. On this day a community bhog is organized which comprises of khichudi, labda (a subzi or a mish mash of mixed vegetables), papad, chutney made of tomatoe or cherry and paesh (kheer).
Bengali Valentine
In Calcutta, the mood is more palpable and lively. I came to know during my stay in that part of the world that this day was also celebrated as ‘Indian valentine’. Don’t by surprised, that is true. Local trains, buses, Victoria memorial, amusement parks, trams, metros, shopping arcade – girls are boys are let loose. They can found in hordes. Strange, we always need some reasons to be a little more expressive, and resort to some Italian saint or an Indian devi day.
Well, whatever be the case, I have good memories from my childhood days which surrounded Saraswati puja. I look forward to this day again next.
Hey Palash,
I was so thrilled to read this post because of the distinct Bengali touch! I liked the way you explained what it is about and then went into your own experiences of it. It feels so good to be connected to your roots because it is so similar to what I have experienced in Kerala.
In fact, ‘intellectual’ Keralites take a lot of inspiration from Bengali culture and practices to such an extent that most of our festive practices, beliefs, food and customs are very similar.
Of course, I loved the part where you really went into the interesting details about ‘complete with long wavy hair, stylish sandals, a shiny tiara the girls and women looked straight out of a Nalli saree advertisement’! And how well you remember:)
awesome post man…enlightening us about the Indian culture..do keep them coming!!
I was missing home and this post brought a smile on my face. Thanks
There couldn’t have been a better palash phool for this Basant Panchami. The desipan of your personality is so visible in this post. Thanks for this unique flavor of Saraswati pooja.
Thank you all..The desipan of this event made me sounded like that..Thanks again!