Why is Saraswati Puja the original ‘Valentine’s Day’ of West Bengal?
Saraswati Puja is the original ‘Valentine’s Day’ of West Bengal. herzindagi.com
Vasant Panchami (vasant meaning ‘spring’ and panchami meaning ‘fifth’) is a festival that falls on the fifth day of the Hindu lunar month of Magha (January–February in the Western calendar), marking the beginning of the end of winter and the start of spring. It is a symbol of coming. spring.
Vasant Panchami is also celebrated as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati (goddess of wisdom, knowledge, learning and arts). Thus, devotees pray to Saraswati to gain knowledge on Vasant Panchami.
In most parts of India, people wake up early and prefer to wear yellow considering it to be the favorite of Goddess Saraswati. They eat and distribute yellow sweets and snacks and worship.
Houses are decorated on Saraswati Puja in Bengal Alpana Art. Flowers, fruits and homemade sweets like Naru, Moya, Chal Makha And Dal Makha After distribution is offered to the goddess Offering among their neighbors. Young people come together on Saraswati Puja, dressed in their best ethnic wear.
Bengal’s Valentine’s Day
Saraswati Puja is also known as ‘Bong’s Valentine’s Day’ in Kolkata. On this day, young couples all over Bengal can be seen twinning in traditional attire, mostly yellow in color and walking hand in hand.
how did it start?
It is believed that the text books, note pads, pens, pencils, reference books placed under the watchful eyes of the Goddess are blessed by the Goddess and then they legitimately claim a day off from studies.
Single-sex schools are the preferred choice of education in Bengal, and even ‘elite’ schools were either boys-only or girls-only.
It was then believed that a student who failed to get into any single-sex school in the city had to go to a co-educational school. However, on the day of the puja, groups of boys visit girls’ schools and hostels to check their Saraswati Puja, and vice versa. They hang out together around schools and colleges, talking, walking, eating, telling jokes and taking pictures. Free interrelationship does not give any social sanction on this one day.
Thus, on Saraswati Puja, when members of the opposite sex could legitimately be out of school and home for the whole day.
how is today celebrated
Love is in the air on this day as young girls step out in attractive sarees and boys in kurta pyjamas. They go for a walk in the pandal, hide under the trees or have a meal together to spend some quality time together. Prinsep Ghat in Kolkata is the place where school and college going students are seen spending their leisure time in the open air at this picturesque place.
The vibe of the day is one of happiness, joy, being free. The smiling faces of these youngsters make the streets look upbeat and glamorous.
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