Page:Hindu Feasts Fasts and Ceremonies.djvu/102

86 Every evening during these nine days, they spend an hour or two in singing the praises of these goddesses, and after this is over, distribute pan supari and sweets. This ceremony is confined only to women and children; male members do not take part in it. It is near this display of toys—the kolu, as it is called in the south of India—that all the available books of a Hindu household are arranged for the day and there the goddess Sarasvati is worshipped. A silver, copper or brass chombu filled with rice to the brim, with a cocoanut over it, serves to represent any goddess. Sometimes a gold jewel serves as an ornament to this vessel. Just at midday the head of the family takes his seat in the middle of the hall to perform the puja and all the children assemble round him. Strict fasting is observed till the worship is over. Young boys, though their mothers may permit them to eat their food, will not touch anything lest the goddess Sarasvati be displeased. When the head of the house finishes his puja all the others assembled there stand up with flowers in their hands reciting the praises of Sarasvati to the dictation of the master and offer the same to the