People from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, who are settled around Lake Market in south Calcutta, came together on Navami to take part in Vidyarambham puja at the pandal of Hindustan Park Tarun Sangha on Monday.

In this ritual, which is a part of an age-old tradition down South, Saraswati is worshipped along the lines of Saraswati Puja in Bengal where books and other items associated with education are offered to the goddess to mark the start of the journey seeking “vidya” (knowledge).

“After offering our prayers today we start opening the first chapter of our books. That is how it has been for ages now,” said R. Venkatesh.

“Since goddess Saraswati is present with Devi Durga, we perform the ritual on Navami, which is an auspicious day for us.” For many others, this puja is also known as Ayudh Puja or astra puja, where equipment are worshipped.

“In case of goddess Saraswati, her equipment is the veena and it is worshipped today,” said Amit Chatterjee, a member of the Hindustan Park Tarun Sangha puja committee. “This ritual is being held in our pandal since 1964,” he said.