From Campus to Old Town: Saraswati Puja Preparations in Full Swing in Dhaka
As every year, educational institutions across the country are preparing to celebrate Saraswati Puja, the festival dedicated to the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and arts. This year, the puja will be held on January 23, and artisans are currently passing a busy time crafting idols of the goddess.
At Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, various puja mandaps are being prepared to welcome Goddess Saraswati on Basant Panchami. In one of the mandaps, the goddess will be presented in the theme of a “Ghorer Nari” (woman of the household), adding a unique cultural dimension to the celebration. Residents of the hall are spending hectic final hours completing decorations and arrangements.
Meanwhile, the narrow lanes of Shankharibazar in Old Dhaka have become overcrowded with festive activity. The air is filled with the fragrance of incense and sandalwood, while the sound of conch shells blends with the rhythmic clinking of hammers and chisels. These sights and sounds signal the imminent arrival of Veena-bearing Goddess Saraswati.
Saraswati Puja, one of the most significant religious festivals for the Sanatan Hindu community, will be observed next Friday. Final preparations are now underway, accompanied by ritual chants and the ceremonial invocation of the goddess.
As in previous years, the historic Shankharibazar, the heart of Old Dhaka, has transformed into a vibrant festive hub centered around Saraswati Puja, reflecting tradition, devotion, and cultural heritage.
