Bhubaneswar: Goddess Saraswati, regarded as the Hindu deity of music, culture and learning, was worshiped across Odisha with traditional pomp and gaiety today.

Women and girls decked up in traditional bright-yellow saris signifying Basant Panchami — heralding the arrival of spring — and men and boys in kurtas offered flowers to the deity, as families shared “prasad” in cities, towns and villages.

It was a day of mirth for children, for whom Saraswati puja is a “no study” day. Too happy to give their textbooks a miss, they participated in pujas at educational institutes.

Clay idols of the goddess were seen with a crescent moon on the brow, riding a swan or seated on a lotus with flowers, fruits and sweets placed as offerings before it.

The rituals started early morning in schools, colleges, community clubs and households, with priests chanting mantras and devotees placing seasonal palash flowers at the deity’s feet to the ringing sounds of cymbals and conch shells.

To receive the goddess’ blessings, students also placed their books, pens and musical instruments beside the idol for the entire day.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik greeted everyone on the auspicious occasion.

ପବିତ୍ର ବସନ୍ତ ପଞ୍ଚମୀ ଓ ମା’ ସରସ୍ଵତୀଙ୍କ ପୂଜା ଅବସରରେ ରାଜ୍ୟବାସୀଙ୍କୁ ମୋର ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଓ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ। ବିଦ୍ୟାଦାୟିନୀ ମା’ ସରସ୍ଵତୀଙ୍କ ଅପାର କରୁଣାରୁ ସଭିଙ୍କ କଲ୍ୟାଣ ହେଉ। pic.twitter.com/W6STpI5Ip8

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) February 10, 2019