Various markets in the city were clothed in the colour of the small yet significant festival. Many households in the city will be paying tributes to Goddess Saraswati on Tuesday. For, as the saying goes, worshipping the petite goddess with a beena in her hand, should be enriching the minds of students and increasing their intellect. For foodies too, the occasion is of opportunities to savour the rich khichuri and telebhaja, and to have a fill of the prasad after saying the prayers.

However the prices of fruits for offering to the goddess have sky-rocketed apples cost Rs 100 a kg, cucumbers Rs 30 a kg and oranges come for Rs 12 a pair. Manohar Bagchi, a customer at Park Circus market said: "The prices of fruits have been upbeat. But we cannot help it because the puja will remain incomplete without the regular winter fruits. The vendors know we are helpless so they will not bring down the prices. The vegetables are much reasonably priced, though. The idols and the chandmalas, however, are not exorbitantly priced."

Saraswati Puja is an occasion to offer prayers to the goddess of learning as well as spending some special hours with family and friends.