Lucknow Welcomes Spring with Grand Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja Celebrations
The historic city of Lucknow was transformed into a vibrant canvas of yellow hues on Friday as residents enthusiastically celebrated Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja, marking the auspicious arrival of spring. Across various institutions, temples, and community centers, devotees gathered to honor Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, and arts, through traditional rituals, colorful decorations, and cultural programs.
Century-Old Traditions at King George's Medical University
At the prestigious King George's Medical University (KGMU), the spirit of Basant Panchami was palpable as students, nurses, and medical professionals adorned themselves in traditional yellow attire, symbolizing the blossoming mustard fields of spring. The campus courtyard near the Saraswati temple buzzed with devotional energy as participants created intricate rangolis using seasonal flowers and performed sacred puja ceremonies. Professor Amiya Agarwal, the puja committee coordinator, emphasized that Saraswati Puja at KGMU represents a remarkable 100-year-old tradition, deeply embedded in the institution's cultural fabric.
Community Celebrations Across Lucknow Neighborhoods
In the Narhi area, the Banerjee Brothers Puja Committee organized a magnificent Saraswati Puja featuring a stunning 3.5-foot-tall idol of Goddess Saraswati. Committee President Tuhin Banerjee revealed that this annual celebration was initiated by his great-grandfather Kalidas Banerjee in 1951 and has been conducted continuously for 76 years. Devotee Himani Chattopadhyay, aged 62, shared her emotional connection to the event, stating, "I have been attending this puja since childhood, and it holds countless cherished memories for me."
Meanwhile, at Rabindrapalli Puja Park, the 42-year-old tradition continued with the resonant blowing of conch shells and the special Hathekodi ceremony, a ritual that formally introduces young children to the world of learning and education. Following the puja, devotees were treated to a traditional Bengali feast including khichdi, chakchadi, baiguni, and payesh.
Educational Blessings and Cultural Feasts
The Bengali Club witnessed massive participation in their Saraswati Puja celebrations, where devotees offered books at the feet of the goddess, seeking blessings for wisdom and academic success. Club President Arun Banerjee explained, "On this auspicious day, students place their educational materials before Goddess Saraswati, believing she will bestow upon them knowledge and intellectual growth." The event also featured the Hathekodi ceremony and distribution of bhog (sacred food offering) to all attendees.
Adding to the multicultural celebrations, the Lucknow Odia Samaj marked their 32nd consecutive year of organizing Saraswati Puja. Secretary Professor DR Sahu detailed that devotees were served a delicious Odia-style bhog after the rituals, consisting of ghanto (mixed vegetables), khatai (chutney), chana dal, poori, and kheer.
Throughout Lucknow, the Basant Panchami festivities created an atmosphere of spiritual reverence and community harmony, beautifully blending religious traditions with cultural expressions. The city's various puja committees demonstrated how these spring celebrations have evolved into cherished annual events that strengthen social bonds while preserving India's rich cultural heritage.
