Saraswati Puja is more than a puja for Bengalis and it involves the sweet nostalgia of childhood memories. From controlling the urge to savour fresh Indian jujubes till Saraswati Puja to finally getting to eat them in the prasad, choosing the yellow sari or kurta, planning the day with your date or friends to relishing bhog — Saraswati Puja is packed with fun and celebration. Looking back at the week, My Kolkata picks a few reels that capture the essence of Saraswati Puja beautifully.
Childhood memories of Saraswati Puja
We cannot deny that Saraswati Puja was more fun when we were kids! The struggle to wake up early and take a bath, shivering in the cold, was the least favourite part of the day for most of us. But the fun that followed compensated for all of it. Getting ready for Anjali was the highlight, as we had to look the best and behave like our elders in a yellow sari or kurta. For girls, stealing a little makeup was allowed. But maybe only a hint of lipstick. This reel by @vinchigiri will take you on this nostalgic, whirlwind journey. The innocence and purity of this animated video is oh so relatable!
Bangali’r Valentine’s Day
In our teens, visiting the alma mater meant a whole lot of fun. Because that was the day we could steal glances at our crush. And for the ones who had their feelings known to each other, the day would be a little more special. It is well known that Saraswati Puja is considered as Bengal’s Valentine's Day, and animator @rhiddhiraj_ has a fun take on the same. He hits the correct nerve of all the singles who spent the day without a date. Check it out!
Viral master’s DIY kurta for Saraswati Puja
If women have their flowy, bright yellow saris, men carry the yellow kurta-look equally well. @sanju_barai, the viral master on Instagram, makes a DIY kurta that is really good! He uses a plain white kurta and dyes it at home – gives them some hand-painted motifs and rocks it for Saraswati Puja. Sanju Barai has already changed the idea of a grumpy school teacher on the ’gram, and now with this DIY kurta for Saraswati Puja, he has proved again that he’s anything but boring. Bookmark the reel for the next year!
Art on ‘kulo’ for the pujo
Speaking of DIY art, we found this amazing artwork on a kulo by artist @mrinmoys_creations. The talented artist paints an image of the goddess of knowledge on a kulo for Saraswati Puja – which looks very creative and pretty. While Saraswati Puja is over, you can take inspiration for the upcoming pujas. After all, Bangalir baro mashe tero parbon! One can also use them for their weddings.
Topa kuler chutney
While
some love it, some absolutely can’t stomach it. And most of us have a love-hate
relationship with it. Ending the elaborate bhog
on Saraswati Puja, the slimy, sweet and sour chutney completes the meal.
While you may hate the smell of the mushy topa
kul, you can't help loving the tangy flavour. The influencer cook, @the_bong_gastronomist, shows a simple recipe to
make this at home. While the fruit lasts, make the chutney and savour every bit
of it!
Gota Seddho
If Bangals have jora Ilish, ghotis have gota seddho! This stew of whole winter vegetables is a mainstay of Saraswati Puja. The fresh harvest of the winters like small sweet brinjals, sweet potatoes, baby potatoes, whole green peas, spinach and green moong are boiled together whole. Minimal garnishing is used, but the taste of gota seddho is yet so flavourful. The dish is usually eaten on the day of the puja and it is a meal by itself! Foodgrammers @pikturenama have the perfect recipe! Check it out!