Saraswati Puja and the first learning experience

In Bengali culture, the first act of writing is not merely a family event; it is a sacred rite, observed on the day of Saraswati Puja.

This ritual is known as hatekhori (the very first step on the path of education). The term literally means holding a pen (or chalk) and writing for the first time.

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In the traditional Bengali worldview, the beginning of a child’s education is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about receiving the blessings of the goddess, explained Netai Chandra Basu, sebait, Lake Kalibari, Kolkata.

On this day, small children are marked on the forehead with sandalwood paste and are taught to write “Om,” “Shri,” or “Om Saraswatyai Namah” using chalk or a pencil. Goddess Saraswati is the presiding deity of knowledge, intellect, and speech.

The belief that no learning is complete without her blessings is why the day of Saraswati Puja is chosen for hatekhori.

The fifth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Magha ~ Basant Panchami ~ is dedicated to the worship of the goddess.

Hatekhori is not merely the beginning of education; it is a cultural legacy. The joy shared by family members, the pride in a child’s first writing, and the sanctity of the goddess’s worship together create a uniquely moving atmosphere.