The Innisfil Tamil Association cordially invites community members to celebrate the Hindu festival, Saraswati Puja, at the Lions Hall (982 Innisfil Beach Rd.) Oct. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m.
According to the association’s Facebook event, the festival is “dedicated to the worship of (the) Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, arts, and music. She is often depicted holding a veena — a musical instrument — and is considered the embodiment of wisdom and enlightenment.” Traditional Puja food and drinks will be served at today's event at no cost.
“I celebrate Saraswathi Puja because it holds a special place in my heart as a reminder of the power of learning and wisdom in every aspect of life,” said association spokesperson Sanjevan Balasubramaniam.
“Growing up, this festival was a time when we paused to reflect on the importance of knowledge — not just in school or work, but in how we live, grow and connect with others in the community.”
“My family would lay our books, instruments and tools before the goddess, seeking her blessings for clarity of thought and success in all our efforts. It was a way to honour the values of discipline, creativity and curiosity, which Saraswati embodies.”
The evening will begin with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. A traditional dance and devotional songs sung by students from the Innisfil Tamil Academy will be performed.
Founded in November 2023, the association celebrates this event in October, which is customary in the south of India, while people in northern India celebrate Saraswati Puja in February.
“We, as (a) Sri Lankan Tamil, celebrate this event during the month of October, which is part of a larger group of events that started on the 3rd to 11th of October and finish with Saraswati Puja being the last (three) days,” he explained.
“Each year, Saraswathi Puja reminds me to appreciate the process of learning, to keep growing and to stay open to new experiences and knowledge. It’s a tradition that brings together spirituality and education, and for me, it’s also a moment to reconnect with my roots and pass these values on to the next generation,” Balasubramaniam said.
“We hope everyone can join us to experience and learn more about our culture.”
Check out the Saraswati Puja 2024 event page on Facebook here.
