Kolkata: Bengal celebrated the day of knowledge by worshiping Goddess Saraswati with colour, ceremonies and fervour - and no studies.

Saraswati puja, the rite of worship to the goddess of learning, is one of the biggest festivals in the Bengali calendar year after Diwali.

Marquees have come all over this city and elsewhere in West Bengal on the occasion. The goddess is also being worshipped in homes, schools and colleges.

Wearing bright yellow clothes signifying the onset of spring, devotees - mainly students and teenagers- lined up to seek the blessings of the goddess. Unmarried girls and boys clad in saris and kurta thronged various puja pandals across the city.

Although the puja is offered in the early morning, the celebrations continue through the day as students keep their books in front of the goddess for her blessings. The day is unofficially considered as 'no study' day in Bengal with students not even touching their books.

"It's a day we look forward to every year. The khichri and labra cooked as bhog (offering) in our school for the goddess always tastes very delicious. We also have chutney and beguni (eggplant dipped in Bengal gram flour and deep fried). There is nothing like eating together with all our classmates," said Joydeep Ghosh, celebrating the occasion at the Mitra institution, Bhowanipore. IANS