Saraswati Puja: Some to skip show yet revel in culture
Think Saraswati Puja and one immediately visualises a pandal decked up in hues of yellow and white. Celebrated on Shukla Panchami of the Magh month in the Lunar calendar, the tradition of worshipping Goddess Saraswati, who is considered the deity of music, culture and learning, is practised by many, especially Bengali households.
The puja is followed by bhog (prasad), which is usually a khichuri prepared with sabzi, chutney and sweets such as payesh (milk pudding) made with date palm jaggery. But this year, denizens are looking forward to low-key celebrations, due to Covid-19.
“Traditionally, Saraswati Puja is done in every household and school (in Bengal). Continuing that tradition, we will do it at home. White and yellow are the auspicious colours. We’ve scaled down celebrations this year to maintain social distancing, but music and other performing arts will be presented in front of the Goddess in the evening, after the aarti,” says Arabinda Chakraborty, president of Bangiya Parishad - Gurgaon.
Keeping in mind pandemic-imposed norms, Navapalli Puja Samity, celebrating its 29th Saraswati Puja this year, has decided not to distribute bhog, and all cultural events stand cancelled. “We’ll follow all Covid-19 norms like social distancing, masks, hand sanitisation, and also have a very limited number of visitors,” says Ravi Kant, general secretary of the puja that takes place in K Block, CR Park.
Saptak, a conglomeration of singers and musicians, is also going ahead with celebrations, albeit with a lesser number of devotees. “The puja will be in the morning, and there’d be a small cultural programme at night. It’s not a big programme, but we want to carry on the tradition,” says Delhiite Mihir Basu, from a choir.
Like Kali Puja last year, Purbapalli Durgabari Samiti, Gurugram, has celebrations lined up in a systematic manner. “Kids are an essential part of the celebration, so we have a pre-approved roster. Social distancing and sanitisation is being done. We decided to cut down celebrations, and are going to live stream the puja from the mandap,” says Aurindam Mukherjee from the samiti.