Saraswati Puja: Why Hilsa Fish Tradition in Some Homes Despite Vegetarian Norms?

• Saraswati Puja, also known as Basant Panchami, is a significant festival in Bengal, where Goddess Saraswati is worshipped for knowledge and arts.
• The Panchami Tithi for Saraswati Puja begins on January 22, according to both Bishuddha Siddhanta Panjika and Guptapress Panjika.
• Traditional offerings include mango blossoms, inkpot, reed pen, Palash flowers, books, musical instruments, marigold flowers, sweet boonde, and rajbhog.
• Shital Shashti, observed after Saraswati Puja, involves eating 'gota seddho' (boiled whole vegetables) cold the next day, as it's an 'arandhan' (no cooking) day.
• Despite Saraswati Puja being largely vegetarian, some homes, especially from East Bengal, follow a tradition of eating 'jora ilish' (a pair of Hilsa fish), linking it to Shri Panchami customs.

Why It Matters: Saraswati Puja blends traditional vegetarian worship with unique customs like Hilsa fish in some Bengali homes.