Lucknow: The sacred celebrations of Sri Sri Saraswati Puja concluded with great devotion and traditional religious fervour at Ramakrishna Math, Nirala Nagar, Lucknow. Devotees gathered in large numbers to mark the culmination of the festival dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of knowledge, wisdom, and purity.
On the second day of the puja, the morning rituals began with conch shell blowing, followed by Mangala Aarti of Sri Sri Thakur and Aarti of Goddess Saraswati. The Vedic rituals and chanting were performed under the guidance of Swami Ishtakripananda of Ramakrishna Math, Lucknow.
Addressing the devotees on the occasion, Swami Muktinathananda Maharaj described Goddess Saraswati as the eternal symbol of knowledge. He said that knowledge flows like a river and is as captivating as a beautiful woman. The Goddess is depicted with four arms, adorned in spotless white attire, seated on a white lotus—symbolising purity, truth, and her establishment in the experience of the ultimate reality. He added that Saraswati not only represents knowledge but also the realisation of the highest truth, with white colour signifying the purity of true wisdom.
During the ritual, Brahmachari Nilotpala from Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Saragachi, West Bengal, was seated on the priest’s asana, while Swami Ishtakripananda served as the chief ritual conductor. A devotional hymn in praise of Goddess Saraswati was rendered by Swami Muktinathananda Maharaj. Devotees offered Pushpanjali, followed by Aarti and the ceremonial immersion of the Goddess’s mirror (Darpan Visarjan).
Prasad in the form of Dadhikarma (curd and flattened rice) was distributed among devotees. The idol of Goddess Saraswati was immersed with full religious rites in the private pond of Ramakrishna Math at Bakhas village under GosaiGanj police station, ensuring an eco-friendly and pollution-free observance.
The event concluded on a serene and spiritually uplifting note, reinforcing the Math’s commitment to faith, tradition, and environmental responsibility.
