The courtyard of the Saraswati temple on the campus remained abuzz with celebrations as people performed puja and clicked selfies.Several art installations were also put up on the occasion. Puja committee coordinator Prof Amiya Agarwal said that Saraswati puja was a 100 year old tradition in KGMU.At Sarawasti puja organised by Banerjee Brothers Puja Committee in Narhi, a beautiful 3.5ft tall idol of goddess Saraswati was installed. President of the puja committee Tuhin Banerjee said, “This puja was started by my great grandfather Kalidas Banerjee in 1951 and is being held regularly for 76 years.” A 62-year-old devotee, Himani Chattopadhyay, at the pandal said, “I have been coming to this puja since I was a child and I have many fond memories attached to this puja.“At Rabindrapalli Puja park, the 42-year-old puja was performed with blowing of conch shells. A ceremony of ‘Hathekodi’ (a ritual that marks a child’s formal introduction to learning and education) was held. Devotees were served with ‘khichdi’, ‘chakchadi’, ‘baiguni’ and ‘payesh’.The Saraswati Puja at Bengali Club was attended by large number of devotees. ‘Bhog’ was served to people. A Hathekodi ceremony was also held. President, Bengali Club, Arun Banerjee said, “On this auspicious day, students keep books at the feet of goddess Saraswati believing that she will bless them with knowledge and wisdom.”Lucknow Odia Samaj, which has been holding Saraswati puja for the past 32 years, this year served food items such as ‘ghanto’ (mix veg), ‘khatai’ (chutney) ‘chana dal’, ‘poori’ and ‘kheer’ as ‘bhog’ to devotees after the puja, said secretary of the committee Prof DR Sahu.
