Saraswati Pooja | Saraswati Triratra vrata during Sharad Navratri

Wealth is transitory. Knowledge is eternal. While many people worship Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, discerning people revere Goddess Saraswati more, as she gives knowledge and wisdom. Mere wealth without knowledge and wisdom will not stay long with us. Herein lies the importance of Goddess Saraswati.

Thus, Saraswati Pooja or the worship of Saraswati, is very important for Hindus. Saraswati Pooja is usually performed during Vasantha/Basant Panchami, which is the Goddess’ birthday. It falls on the 5th day of Magha (mid-Feb – mid-March) month. Schools, colleges, temples, and households celebrate the festival. It’s also an important part of the Sharad Navratri festival that occurs in October-November.

Birth of Goddess Saraswati

After Lord Brahma created the universe, there was a great pandemonium in the cosmos. There was no order, conception, or configuration. So he created Saraswati, the embodiment of wisdom and art. Supposedly, she emerged from his mouth.

After this, celestial bodies like the sun, the moon, stars, etc., were created and organized. The oceans were born, and the seasons began to change periodically. Brahma was delighted and named the Goddess Vagdevi, or the Goddess of speech and sound. It was the wisdom provided by the Goddess Saraswati that helped Brahma create order and structure in the universe.

Goddess Saraswati is part of the female trinity or Tridevis comprising Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati. They are the consorts of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma, respectively. All 3 goddesses have key roles in creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe. Saraswati has 8 arms and sits on a white lotus flower. She holds a bell, trident, plowshare, conch, pestle, discus, bow and arrow in her hands.

She has many names -Vagdevi, Biraj, Brahmi, Sarada, Satarupa, Sarbasukia, Mahasweta, Prithudar, and Bagiswari.

Saraswati Pooja

Saraswati Pooja or Saraswati Triratra Vrata is a major festival in south India. It is observed during the last 3 days of the Sharad Navratri festival in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. In 2022, it begins on Oct 2 and ends on Oct 5.

Saraswati Pooja falls on the same day as Ayudha Pooja (worship of weapons, tools, etc.) in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Dussehra or the 10th day is also part of the Saraswati Pooja celebrations.

Saraswati Pooja 2022 is on October 4, Tuesday.

Oct 2, Sunday: Saraswati Avahan

Oct 4, Tuesday: Saraswati Balidan, Saraswati Visarjan, Ayudha Pooja

Oct 5, Wednesday: Vidyarambham

Navami Tithi Time : October 03, 4:38 pm - October 04, 2:21 pm

In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the Pooja is on the 9th day or the last day of Navratri. But, in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, it is on the 10th day (Dussehra).

In the western and northern India, devotees worship the Goddess for 4 days during the auspicious Navaratri period.

In South India, on the day after Saraswati Pooja, children between 4-5 years are initiated into the world of learning. This is the Vidyarambham or Akshara Abhyasam ceremony.

Navratri Saraswati Pooja Rituals

In the south, during the Saraswati Pooja, people display ‘Kolu’ in households. The display includes dolls or figurines of deities, saints, mythological characters, animals, birds, etc. On all 9 days of Navratri Pooja, devotees perform Pooja and make several offerings. As white is the favorite color of Goddess Saraswati, most of the offerings are white.

A garland of white flowers is also offered. White lily is very auspicious, and devotees believe that offering white lily pleases the Goddess immensely.

Students offer their notebooks and stationery items as part of the Pooja so that she will bless them to perform well in academics. Some chant hymns or Slokas dedicated to Saraswati.

Significance of Saraswati Pooja

Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, arts, and crafts. Knowledge and wisdom are essential for achieving wealth and success. By worshipping her, we can become more intelligent, creative, and productive in our work. Those who have Saraswati’s blessings are capable of many accomplishments in life and gain stature and renown in the world.

Saraswati Pooja Mantra

Saraswati mahaa bhaggey, vidye kamala lochoney / Vidya rupey vishalakshmi, vidyaam dehi namahastutey //

Meaning: Hail auspicious Devi Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge with lotus-like eyes/Pray to the embodiment of knowledge with enormous eyes to make me truly wise.

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