Various mandaps at the campus were flooded with devotees, as well as with those who simply joined the festivities, on Saturday, the first day of spring in the Bengali calendar.
The Institute of Fine Arts had Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, arts and wisdom, seated on her mount, the swan, at the centre of the pond at Jagannath Hall.
A total of 64 departments of the university came together at Jagannath Hall’s field to worship the goddess. Hindus believe the goddess descends on earth on the fifth day of spring.
More mandaps were set up at Rokeya Hall, Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, Shamsunnahar Hall, Bangladesh-Kuwait Moitri Hall and Kobi Sufia Kamal Hall.
Saraswati idol was bathed with milk, honey, yoghurt, butter, sandal wood and camphor, as per ritual.
Devotees believe they will be bestowed with knowledge if they are able to please the goddess.
“Goddess Saraswati was being worshipped in a harmonious environment,” said Jagannath Hall provost Aseem Sarkar.
“Like every year, every department set up its mandaps at Jagannath Hall’s field.”
“The students revel at goddess Saraswati’s arrival. They gather for the festivities regardless of religion, caste or nationality,” said Rajib Halder, a student.