“May Goddess Saraswati, who is fair like the jasmine coloured moon and whose pure white garland is like frosty dew drops, who is adorned with radiant white clothes and on whose beautiful palm and arm rests the veena, whose throne is a white lotus, and who is surrounded and respected by Gods beginning with Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahesh, protect mo. I beseech her totally remove my laziness and sluggishness”: The Saraswati Vandana
The Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Puja is the beginning of spring season. This is a festival devoted to the Goddess Saraswati who is generally regarded as a sign of purity and peace. The auspicious day of the goddess is celebrated as ‘Saraswati Puja’ all over the state of Assam. Guwahati city witnesses a riot of colors and fashions from streets to the educational institutions, all dressed in traditional attire and boys mostly wear ethnic kurtas.
For the past few years, Assam has witnessed this festival as an unannounced fashion parade. Mainly, news channels hype this fashion show among the students as ‘puja sundari’ and ‘selfie queen’ shows. News channels organize some shows for ratings’ sake and shortlist some girls as “pujar sundari”. Nowadays, puja has become a competition of sorts for the students and they all are decked up and ready to give each other a tough competition with fashion trends. On the flipside, though, this trend creates a difference between rich and poor students.
Saraswati Puja is like a paradise for singles Single has a possibility to find their right one and open up their feelings, some of them get a heart-warming "yes" with a beautiful smile. On this occasion, everyone is a free soul and it is one of the rare occasions when couples can roam around freely. Young couples are often seen walking next to each other with shy smiles on their faces and a sparkle in their eyes. It is truly the festival of the young and the beautiful!