Basant Panchami Celebrated

With spring in the air and fresh blooms in the fields, the festival of Basant Panchami brings vigour and vitality into every one's' life. Basant Panchami or Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season - Basant means spring and Panchami means "the fifth day." This festival was celebrated on 14th February with great festivity and enthusiasm throughout the sub city. Residents visited temples and prayed to Goddess Saraswati, who is the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. The idols of Goddess Saraswati were decorated with white clothes, and food and clothes of yellow color were presented as offerings in the temples. Educational institutions and artistic clubs dedicate this day to the Goddess Saraswati. Basant Panchami is also considered a blessed day to begin education of young kids deeming Goddess Saraswati’s blessings on this very day. In many places young girls and ladies could be seen in yellow dresses symbolising the colour of spring. The color yellow holds a special meaning for this celebration as it signifies the brilliance of nature and the vibrancy of life. The flavour of the season could also be seen in the sweets – which had a hue of yellow with a delicious flavour of saffron. Basant Panchami also initiates the preparations of Holika as the festival of Holi follows 40 days after Basant Panchami. 

Various Bengali committees celebrated Saraswati Puja with great devotion.

Pahal Pathshala- Saraswati puja was held at Pahal Pathshala on 14th February. Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and learning. Students place books and copies near the Saraswati idol and worship. The day begins with the traditional Anjali where students, members and friends offer flowers, sweets and heartfelt prayers to the goddess Saraswati. The puja was done with full zeal and devotion and all wished Goddess Saraswati to keep on showering her blessings on all. Prasad and bhog were distributed to all the students and members. Students also performed songs and dance after the puja. Bhog was arranged by Dwarka Kalibari, and Pahal is thankful to the management of Dwarka Kalibari for their kind gesture.

Stand N Stride - Stand N Stride Foundation marked the joyous occasion of Saraswati Puja with profound spirituality and enthusiasm on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami, observed on 14th February. This year marked the 8th consecutive celebration of Saraswati Puja by the foundation, a testament to its enduring commitment to cultural and spiritual traditions. Approximately 100 handpicked children from all four centers of Stand N Stride Foundation participated in the puja festivities, showcasing their talents through vibrant cultural activities. Mrs. Nivedita Puri, a founding member, informed that all puja rituals were conducted with utmost reverence and devotion. Dr. Saroj Gulati, Director, "This year, we decided to elevate our celebration by shifting the venue to ensure a more grand and memorable experience. We were honored to welcome over 50 dignitaries from Dwarka, whose presence reflects our

unwavering dedication to the welfare of society."

AIKOTAAN- Aikotaan Kalibari O Sewa Samiti celebrated Saraswati Puja at the Puja Ground at Sector- 4 on 14th February, 2024. Maa Saraswati is the Goddess of Learning and it is customary for young children to start writing for the first time in front of the Goddess and it is called 'hathe khodi'. Many children came and wrote their first alphabets with the help of the priest in front of Maa Saraswati. Many other children brought their textbooks and got Maa Saraswati's blessing by touching them at the feet of the Goddess. There was Anjali and prasad was distributed. Community bhog was served to hundreds of people as bhog prasad. A cultural function was also organized.