Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja being celebrated in different parts of country today

Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja are being celebrated in different parts of the country today. People, especially students worship Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge on this occasion. In West Bengal, Saraswati Puja is being celebrated with religious fervor and traditional gaiety. In view of the pandemic, this year the participation in puja is less than normal.

On Basant Panchami, students across ages worship and seek blessings from Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, aesthetics, music and arts. Little children are introduced to alphabets in a ritual known as ‘hatekhori’ in Bengali. But this year the picture is different due to Covid pandemic situation. In many schools and colleges new normal is part of the theme of Saraswati Puja. 

Some educational institutes have arranged live streaming of puja from the campus so that all students can participate. In Some schools, students of classes IX to XII have been divided in small groups while some schools have allowed only the student’s council along with teachers and the administration. Food parcels will be handed out instead of having lunch



together to maintain covid protocol. On the other hand, some colleges and universities have decided not to organize the puja this year as the campuses are still closed.

President Ram Nath Kovind has greeted all the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Vasant Panchami and Saraswati Puja. In a tweet, Mr Kovind wished that the arrival of spring brings happiness and prosperity in the lives of all the countrymen.

Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have greeted the nation on the occasion of Basant Panchami and Saraswati Pooja. In a tweet, Mr Shah said, this festival is a symbol of new zeal and new energy. He wished that Goddess Saraswati may provide knowledge, prosperity and good health to all. In his greeting, Mr. Rajnath Singh wished that this holy festival may bring joy, knowledge and good health in the lives of people.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has extended his greeting on the occasion of Basant Panchami. In a tweet, he prayed that Goddess Saraswati bless us all with wisdom and intelligence.