Guwahati: Kul Bogori, a seasonal fruit, has made its way back into the markets, marking the arrival of Saraswati Puja celebrations in Assam. The minor, tangy fruit, a favourite among Assamese families, is widely used during the religious event.
According to ethnic beliefs, Kul Bogori should not be consumed before Saraswati Puja, and its entrance into markets just before the festival makes it even more special. This year, the fruit is being sold at Rs. 30 per 250 grams, with sellers reporting hurried sales.
“We usually get fresh Kul Bogori a few days before Saraswati Puja. Customers eagerly wait for this time of the year to buy it in large quantities,” a fruit seller at Beltola market said.
Kul Bogori (Indian jujube); (Google Image)
The Saraswati Puja, devoted to the goddess of wisdom and learning, was observed from the evening of February 2 to the early hours of February 3. The festival holds immense cultural and religious significance, particularly for students who seek blessings for academic success.
Throughout Assam, educational institutions, temples, and families organised rituals, prayers and cultural programs. The merriments were marked by traditional pushpanjali (floral offerings), intonation of hymns, and community banquets. Colleges and universities in Guwahati, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, and Silchar arranged bhoj (feast) for students, teachers, and the public, making the event even more special for outgoing students.
Female students at schools, colleges and universities dress up in elegant Mekhala Chadar ornamented with traditional Assamese jewellery. The demand for handwoven and designer Mekhala Chadar rushed in the days leading up to the festival.
“Women prefer to buy fancy Mekhala Chadars during this time, with bright yellow, white, and pastel shades being the most sought-after colours,” a worker at 'Silkalaya,' a popular silk store in Guwahati, shared.
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Shopping malls, textile markets, and street vendors in Guwahati, Jorhat, and Dibrugarh also saw a rise in the sale of Assamese traditional wear as families and students prepared for the festival.
With Saraswati Puja being an occasion for young women to showcase their best traditional look, beauty parlours and salons across Assam witnessed a surge in customers.
“We were packed with customers on Saturday and Sunday, with students and women coming in for hairstyling, saree draping, and makeup,” said Sangita Chakrabarty, a beautician from Guwahati. However, she further said there was a sharp decline in customers the following day. “On Monday morning, I had only two customers,” she told BNE.
Likewise, Priyadarshini Beauty Parlour in Guwahati reported lower-than-usual post-festival visits, attributing it to the puja being on a Sunday when most people were free to visit parlours in advance.
Apart from individual celebrations, Saraswati Puja also serves as a time for social bonding. Many colleges and universities organised cultural events, including Borgeet performances, Naam-kirtan, and traditional dance programs.
In some areas, puja committees organised competitions for students, including quizzes, recitations, and essay writing contests, reflecting the spirit of learning associated with the festival.
Saraswati Puja in Assam has grown over the years, blending age-old traditions with new-age merriments. While elders continue to uphold religious customs, young people enjoy the festival as a time for socialising and dressing up in ethnic attire.
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