Saraswati Puja

On Saturday, I woke up to a freak snow/slush storm! Did you? It was gross out. But I had plans to head over to Burnaby to attend a celebration of the Hindu goddess Saraswati. The weather wasn't bad enough to deter me, thankfully. And thank goddess I went! It was a wonderful time, a joyous celebration, and there was amazing Indian food to be had!

Seriously, that chutney was AMAZING.

Here's some information from a handout they passed to me:

As "Diwali" - the festival of light - is to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, "Vasant Panchami" is to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, intelligence, and arts. Celebrating the festival of Saraswati Puja is known to bless individuals with intelligence, wisdom and knowledge. Goddess Saraswati is the mother of wisdom and music. The festival has much importance for students and people in intellectual fields.

Mata Saraswati is worshipped with yellow flowers, sindoor, water offerings, incense, lamp, etc.

Hindus regard Vasant Panchami as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati. "Vasant" comes from the word "spring" as this festival signifies the beginning of Vasant Ritu (spring season) and "Panchami" from the 5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha, when it is observed. Hindus celebrate it with great fervor int emples, homes and even schools and colleges as students utter the Saraswati Mantra prayer before the idol of the goddess of knowledge and arts.

Thank you to Smita for inviting me to this amazing event!