First-time grand celebration marks historic milestone for Hindu students
Saraswati Puja, one of the major religious festivals for followers of Sanatan Dharma, was celebrated with great fanfare at Chittagong University (CU). For the first time in the university’s history, the puja was organized simultaneously at a total of 13 mandaps (worship pavilions).
From Friday morning (January 23), the puja celebration continued throughout the day across the campus with various religious and cultural programs. Sanatan Dharma-following students of the university participated in the puja with immense joy, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the university.
At 11:30 AM, a program titled “Greetings of Shri Panchami” was organized at the university’s central temple by the CU Sanatan Dharma Parishad on the occasion of Saraswati Puja.
While a maximum of six mandaps had hosted Saraswati Puja at the university in the past, this year the number more than doubled. Students from various faculties independently organized the festival separately. Pujas were held at different locations across the university, including the Faculty of Business Administration, Arts and Humanities, Science, Social Sciences, and the open stage (Muktamanch).
Additionally, the Fine Arts and Drama departments organized separate pujas. Saraswati Puja was also celebrated at Preetilata Hall for female students and Atish Dipankar Srigyan Hall for male students.
Organizers said the puja officially began in the morning with worship of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, through prayers and yajna (sacrificial ritual). This was followed by pushpanjali (flower offerings), recitation of Vedas and Gita, distribution of prasad (sacred food), and cultural performances. Evening arati (prayer with lamps) was scheduled for the evening. The official conclusion of Sureshwari Bandana-2026 will take place on Saturday morning (January 24) with the immersion ceremony of Goddess Saraswati.
Sujoy Bhattacharya, a student from the Chemistry Department (2019-20 session) who came to see the Science Faculty mandap, said: “For the first time in university history, such a grand puja is being held. We tried to portray in our mandap that our goddess is like a mother. We attempted to highlight how Mother is connected to us.”
Udita De, a fourth-grade student who came to visit the puja mandaps with her uncle, said: “Today I came to my uncle’s university for the first time and am enjoying Saraswati Puja. I went around and saw every puja, and I liked it very much.”
Sanghita Devi, a student from the Physics Department (2019-20 session), said: “This puja is being held in the Science Faculty for the first time. We are worshiping Mother for the first time like this. We worship Saraswati for knowledge, wisdom, and learning. Such pujas are actually necessary at the university level, which we couldn’t do in previous years.”
She added: “There is wonderful communal harmony at the university surrounding the puja. This will serve as our foundation for building the nation and country.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yeahia Akhtar said at the event: “Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, which is why Saraswati Puja is celebrated magnificently in educational institutions. On our campus, Saraswati Puja is being celebrated elaborately. A religious person cannot wish ill upon anyone. When one maintains a relationship with religion, bad deeds cannot be accomplished.”
University Proctor Professor Dr. Hossain Shahid Sarwardi spoke about the overall arrangements: “A joyful environment has been created across campus for Saraswati Puja. On behalf of the proctorial body, two members each have been deployed at every mandap to ensure security. Additionally, patrol teams are on duty round the clock.”
He added: “Besides the central mandap, pujas have been organized at 12 more mandaps this year. We have been in contact with the organizers since last night, and so far no disorder has occurred.”