Dhaka: Hindu community in the capital like elsewhere in the country celebrated Saraswati Puja, worshiping the goddess of knowledge, wisdom and culture on Monday.
Puja mandaps, temples and a large number of educational institutions were colorfully decorated as thousands of devotees sought blessings since morning from the goddess with traditional gaiety. 
The celebration also included offering of Devi Aradhona, puspoanjoli, archanas, anjolis, aratis, distribution of prashad, arati competitions, cultural functions and staging of dramas at temples, educational institutions and domestic residences in the country. 
People of Hindu community of the country of all ages came to the Puja venues with their family in the early morning. 
In most places including the Dakeshwari National Temple, the Puja began at 8am with the offering of "anjali", which was followed by "hatekhori" (introduction to learning of children) and distribution of prashad. 
Saraswati, a mythological companion of Lord Brahma, is the personification of knowledge - arts, science and crafts.
According to Hindu faith, she represents power, creativity and inspiration and presents herself when the weather is pleasant and nature is in its full grandeur.
Students from different departments and institutes of University of Dhaka arranged the puja at 65 Mandaps on the Jagannath Hall playground this year. 
Rokeya Hall, Begum Shamsunnahar Hall, Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall of University of Dhaka, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University,
Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka Medical College, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka College, Eden Girl's College, Shakhari Bazar, Tanti Bazar and different places of Old Dhaka, Khilgaon Tilpapara Deb Mandir and different educational institutions in the city also organised puja mandaps.