AGARTALA, Jan 29 (TIWN): Saraswati Puja was celebrated in Tripura’s schools, colleges and houses with traditional fervour.

Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of music, culture and learning, was worshiped across the state and people were seen carrying clay idols of the deity with a crescent moon on the brow, riding a swan or seated on a lotus.

Flowers, fruits and sweets placed as "prasad" (offerings). Families throughout cities, towns and villages shared it among themselves.

To receive the goddess's blessings, students also placed their books, pens and musical instruments beside the idol for the entire day.

It was a day of mirth for children, for whom Saraswati puja is a "no study" day. Too happy to give their textbooks a miss, they participated in cultural functions organised in localities, educational institutes and households.

Small marquees came up in almost all localities where neighbours gathered to pay obeisance to the goddess, followed by sumptuous lunch comprising "khichuri" accompanied by eggplant fries, mixed vegetables and dollops of chutney and sweets. Such feasts were held in educational institutions also.