Odisha glitters as it welcomes Goddess Saraswati

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is celebrating Saraswati Puja with students offering special prayers to the Goddess and devotees visiting temples on the auspicious occasion on Monday.

While students are observing the day with much devotion various puja committees have erected massive pandals and idols signifying innovative themes and also organised special cultural programmes to mark the day.

Glittering decorations particularly at educational institutes and religious fervour mark the start of the festival today morning.
Saraswati Puja is a festival, which is celebrated in the honour of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of study.

Colourfully decorated Idols of the Goddess have been installed both at homes and in schools, colleges, other educational institutes, business establishments and also in offices.

Devotional songs, cultural programmes are being organised to make the festival more lively and enthusiastic.
Early in the morning, devotees thronged temples to offer prayers to the Goddess.

Students of renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik and Manas Sahoo have created two different sand arts on Puri beach welcoming Goddess Saraswati.

On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami (Saraswati Puja), internationally acclaimed Sand Artist Mr. Manas Sahoo has built a sand sculpture of Goddess Saraswati on the sea-beach of Puri. pic.twitter.com/ZoRlC0UJSU

— Manas sahoo (@SandArtistManas) January 21, 2018

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also wished the people on this occasion.

“Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami & Saraswati Puja. May Goddess Saraswati bless all with knowledge, joy & prosperity,” tweeted Naveen Patnaik.

“May our lives be filled with the eternal light of knowledge. May Goddess Saraswati bestow her blessings on all of us on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami,” tweeted Pradhan.