Saraswati Puja will be celebrated today across the country with traditional gaiety and religious fervour.
The Puja will be performed on the Vasant Panchami day every year mostly in educational institutions, where the Hindu students seek the blessings of Goddess Saraswati.
A mythological consort of Lord Brahma, Saraswati is the personification of knowledge - arts, science and crafts. She represents power, creativity and inspiration and presents herself when the weather is pleasant and nature is in its full grandeur. It is a season of inspiration and passion.
Depicted as a graceful woman with a crescent moon adorning her brow, she is shown riding a swan or a peacock, or is seated on a lotus flower.
On this auspicious day, Hindu children are also imparted their first lessons in reading and writing.
The day will start with offering prayers at different pandals and at homes.
Pandals have been put up at many places, including schools and art and music institutions, where the students and youths of different religions will join in the celebration and worship the Goddess. Cultural programmes have also been organised at different pandals and in schools.
In the capital, Saraswati Puja will be celebrated at Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, Dhakeswari temple, Siddheswari temple, Ram-Krishna Mission, Supreme Court premises, Dhaka College, Eden Girls' College and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
On the eve of Puja, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a message greeted all members of the Hindu community.
Hasina said Bangladesh is the country of communal harmony and the people of all faiths have been living here together peacefully since long ago. "I believe that the mutual harmony will be strengthened in the days ahead."