It is common knowledge that Hindus worship maximum number of Gods and Goddesses. A rough estimate of the number of Gods and Goddess puts it at thirty-three crore. There is virtually separate Gods for every aspect of life. Be it trade, engineering, learning, strength, for all the above there are number f Gods and Goddess whom the Hindus worship. The Goddess of learning is arriving later this week to bless all and sundry to excel in the field of education. Ma Saraswati is the Goddess whom we all worship to get her blessing to do well in our studies. This is perhaps the only Goddess which worshipped in every nook and corner of Bengal. Even the most atheist of households worship Ma Saraswati.

The puja of Ma Saraswati is held at a time when the winter comes to an end and spring begins. It is the time of the beginning of 'Basanta Kaal'. In this time of the year, the weather remains fantastic. The weather is neither too cold, nor it is too hot. In other words, it remains pleasant. There is no need to put on a sweater, in our midst amidst this pleasant weather. So performing the puja creates no problems at all.

The puja starts early in the morning with 'aarti'. The chanting of various monsters begins after the 'aaroti'. Ma Saraswati is the goddess of learning, so those associated with the performance footsteps of Ma Saraswati in order to receive her special blessings. This aspect of the puja is normally referred to as 'Boi Puja'. 'Boi Puja' is an important aspect of Saraswati Puja. Books of 'Boi' is almost considered as the soul of Ma Saraswati. So, when one accidentally puts his feet on even a page of a books, h makes a 'pronam' in order to undo his misdeed of trampling on Ma Saraswati's soul. The puja of Ma Saraswati is particularly popular among the student community. The students fear studies most. Hence, they are the ones who worship Ma Saraswati with great elan. The puja itself is comparatively easier than other pujas. That also accounts for the excessive popularity of this puja.

This puja is celebrated in all schools and colleges. Young boys could be seen engaged in the preparation of pujas from early morning. From cutting of fruits to assisting the priest, everything is taken care of by the students. No matter whether a student is religious or irreligious, everyone participates in this in the hope of doing, well in their examinations. The young girls wear 'Basanti-coloured' saris and put 'alta' on their feet and go to school. The demure footsteps delicately balancing their sarees are wonderful scene. The elders think that their younger daughters have suddenly grown.

Saraswati Puja is also the day of eating plums. Plums, called 'kool' in Bengali is the most sought after fruit on the day of Saraswati Puja. 'Kooler Chatni' is a must for that day. 'Kool' or plum is a fruit of spring time. Hence, it must be eaten on the day of saraswati Puja. The time of Saraswati puja is also the time for selling plums at a premium. With the end of spring, the demand for plums also ebb.

On the day of Saraswati puja, young children starts writing through a ceremony called 'Hatey-Khori'. This is a ceremony which marks the beginning of writing for young children. On this day, they are chalk and they begin their introduction through writing something in from of Ma Saraswati. People think that one become a learned person if one starts his introduction with letters from this auspicious day. Saraswati Puja has tremendous importance among Bengalis.