UKHCA Saraswati Puja – 2026
With the onset of brighter days and beautiful foliage reappearing on the horizon, UKHCA celebrated the (almost!) arrival of spring with its annual Saraswati Puja on 25th of January 2026.
Devi Saraswati is revered in the Hindu philosophy as the Goddess of wisdom and learning. Every year, ‘Vasant Panchami’ marks a day of worship and devotion and an oath for lifelong learning. It also marks a significant moment in the celebration of the ‘Ganga Jamuna’ tehzeeb (manners) in India, where people from across the faiths intermingle, just like two rivers merging together, to celebrate ‘Vasant’ or arrival of spring and happiness for people.
Like every year, this was the spirit of our Saraswati puja at UKHCA. People thronged our venue, offered pushpanjali, had ‘prasad’ and ‘bhog’, attended our art competition and revelled through our kids talent show. The most significant part of the day were the moments of ‘Hatekhori’ or ‘Bidyarambh’ tradition (starting of educational journey) of tiny tots under the able guidance of our erudite priest.
The kids have a special affinity towards Ma Saraswati as she is unanimously considered a guiding force in their journey of learning and creativity. It was heartwarming to see the imagination of kids taking centre stage at our art competition. Our Kids talent show was a big success this year and it was a pleasant surprise for everyone to see the eclectic mix of talent and performances showcased. From professional level singing to recitation, instrumental music recitals to foot tapping dance numbers – all our in house talents were powerhouses and we at UKHCA are glad that we could provide them a stage and encouragement for their performances.
The stalls put up at the venue this year were also a major attraction for the crowds. In tune with our commitment to encourage local businesses we had a variety of stalls showcasing and selling books, food, palmistry services, home decor, ethnic wear and jewellery products.
The day ended with a hearty meal of ‘khichuri, labra, chutney, papad’ – the quintessential pujo bhog prepared by ‘Gharoa’ caterers this year. The ‘dodhikorma’ prasad also was a hit among the devotees. While the day came to a close, we promised to return next year with the same devotion and fun elements as we have been doing with our Puja- a tradition that has continued to be a part of the cultural tapestry of South East London and Kent since 1993.
