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Published : 23 Jan 2026, 03:37 PM
Hindu students are conducting Aarti, a ritual of oil lamps and bells, and Pushpanjali, or floral offerings, at different Puja venues In Jagannath Hall ground of Dhaka University to seek the blessings of goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning and music.
This year, a total of 76 pandals or Puja venues have been erected around the grounds by students from different departments and institutes of the university. Of them, 74 pandals have been built around various “themes” reflecting academic disciplines and social perspectives.
Students, teachers and visitors were seen thronging every pandal since Friday morning.
The formal rituals of Saraswati Puja began at 8:30am on Friday with Bani Bandana and Pushpanjali, and concluded around 10am.
Like other years, the Puja is being observed in a peaceful environment, said Jagannath Hall Provost Prof Debashish Pal.
“The Puja is being held very peacefully this year. However, the turnout since the morning is something I have never experienced. Initially we kept two gates open, but later had to open another due to the huge crowd. With such a massive gathering, I believe this year’s Saraswati Puja at our hall will find its place in the Guinness Book of World records.”
Like every year, the Faculty of Fine Arts has crafted an eye-catching idol to be placed in the middle of the hall pond. At the same time, Dhaka University students are celebrating the Puja with grandeur by setting up elaborately decorated pandals based on diverse themes.
Raja Talukder, a student of the Department of Management, told bdnews24.com: “Like every year, Saraswati Puja at Jagannath Hall has been organised with much pomp and grandeur. With the gathering of thousands of devotees, we spend the day amid much festivity. This year, however, there is something special—it is set to be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. Hearing this has created a lot of excitement among us.”
“Traditionally, on the Shukla Panchami Tithi or Basanta Panchami in the Bengali month of Magh, we worship Saraswati to seek knowledge. Today we pray that Goddess Saraswati blesses everyone with learning and that the light of knowledge spreads across the world. May all living beings be happy.”
Reflecting on the “mob culture” that has emerged in Bangladesh since the July Uprising, students of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism have built a pandal highlighting the issue.
One of the organisers, Dhaka University student Shrabasti Bandyopadhyay, told bdnews24.com: “We did not just talk about stalled pens or burnt newspapers. We wanted to speak out against all forms of oppression—from the untouchable Harijans to tea garden workers whose last ounce of life energy is spent while they are denied fair wages, and to the innocent children lying dead under rubble in Palestine. Through all of this, we tried to convey a message: no war, peace; not mobs, but justice.”
Students of the Department of Finance have built a pandal themed around the “universe”.
One of them, Ritul Chakraborty, said: “Mother Saraswati belongs to everyone. We want the entire universe to receive her blessings and for the world to become peaceful.”
On the other hand, students of the Department of Bangla have created a Saraswati Pandal designed like a library.
According to them, “Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, and books symbolise learning. Through this, we want Saraswati to bestow knowledge. There is no alternative to books if one wants to become enlightened.”
The thick crowd of visitors at the Puja venues are noteworthy. People came from far away to visit the Saraswati Puja venues this year.
Sourav Das, who came with his family from Khilgaon, told bdnews24.com: “There aren’t many places to visit in Dhaka. But when we come to Jagannath Hall, it feels different. The decorations, the arrangements and the vast, clear space are impressive. Our children are still young, so we can’t take them everywhere. Since it’s Puja today, we came here with the family.”
According to Hindu belief, goddess Saraswati represents divine knowledge and learning. Every year, she is worshipped in the month of Magh. As she holds a Beena (Indian chordophone) in her hand, she is also known as Beenapani.
The goddess has a white swan as her carrier. Traditionally, on this day, Hindu families arrange Hatekhori—the first academic lesson for children—at Saraswati temples through the chanting of mantras by priests.
This year, the two-day programme at the Jagannath Hall premises includes Pushpanjali, the distribution of Prasad, or food, an evening of cultural performances, and a blood donation drive.
Also, several amusement rides, toys and food stalls have been arranged inside the hall premises to entertain visiting children and teenagers during the Puja.
