Saraswati Puja being celebrated across Odisha with religious fervour

Saraswati Puja is being celebrated in various educational institutions and social organisations with religious fervour across Odisha on Wednesday.

Maa Saraswati is known as the Goddess of knowledge (Vidya). Mainly students and youths worship Goddess Saraswati on this auspicious day to invoke the power of knowledge to descend on them.

Saraswati Puja is observed on ‘Shukla Panchami Tithi’ of Odia month ‘Magha’. This auspicious day is also popularly known as holy ‘Basanta Panchami’ or ‘Sri Panchami’.

Several schools, other educational institutions and youth clubs in the State have made elaborate arrangements to perform special rituals to worship Maa Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge.

'Ratha Katha Anukula’ in Puri

The auspicious day also marks the initiation of the chariot making process for the world famous Rath Yatra in Puri. All preparations have been made by the temple administration to kick-start the process today.

The ritual of ‘Ratha Katha Anukula’ starts on the holy occasion of Sri Panchami. As per the tradition, three pieces of ‘Dhaura’ woods will be worshipped at ‘Rathakhala’ in front of ‘Srinaara’. Similarly, three pieces of ‘Dhaura’ wood of 12 ft each will be worshipped by ‘Shotriya Bramhin’ and ‘Rajaguru’ in the evening. Popular ‘Ghoda Ulagi’ ritual of the Holy Trinity is also performed on this auspicious day.