Saraswati Puja celebrations across the country

NEW DELHI: Saraswati puja is being celebrated today in various parts of the nation with much pomp and gaiety.
Goddess Sawaswati, depicted as a graceful woman, is seated on a lotus flower with book and veena, a musical instrument, and riding a swan or a peacock.
Every year Saraswati Puja is performed on Vasant Panchami to worship Saraswati, goddess of learning and a mythological consort of Lord Brahma, according to the Hindu astrological calendar and religious beliefs.The goddess is personified as knowledge in its full grandeur.
This tradition, followed to date, sees many schools and colleges setting up a clay idol of the Goddess Saraswati and are embellished in attractive fashion to welcome the goddesses and show their allegiance.
Colourful pandals are also put up where devotees throng to offer their prayers and become a part of the celebration. Schoolchildren and toddlers, especially, make a beeline in their best dress to offer prayers on Saraswati puja.
Cultural programmes and other fun filled activites are organised to mark the occasion.
The festival starts by offering prayers followed by other religious rituals.
People on this day greet each other by sending messages and inspirational SMSes.