Saraswati Puja 2023: Grand idol unveiled in Kolkatas Tala Prattoy - Check out pictures here

Kolkata, West Bengal: To celebrate Saraswati Puja on Thursday, a grand idol of Goddess Saraswati is kept at Tala Prattoy in Kolkata.

The Bengali community will celebrate the Puja with cultural programmes, bhog and get-togethers.

“This time, if we talk about the budget, then there was a budget of Rs 14 to 15 lakh for Saraswati Puja. If this year, the Puja is appreciated by the people, it will be done in a bigger way in the coming year and the budget will also increase,” he said.

“We just want people to like it and get a lot of love from people during Saraswati Puja. Saraswati Puja is not done anywhere in such a grand and pompous manner and the way it is happening here, will attract a lot of people,” he added.

He also said that people are coming here for Durga Puja and for Saraswati Puja, and "people are appreciating the efforts made by us, due to which we are very happy".

The festival is also known as Basant Panchami, Vasant Panchami, Shri Panchami, and Saraswati Panchami.

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It is celebrated on the first day of spring and falls on the fifth day of the month of Magha.

It also heralds the start of Holi preparations, which take place 40 days following the feast. Maa Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, music, and the arts is honoured throughout the festival.