Saraswati Puja

Saraswati: Goddess of Knowledge & Arts

Saraswati Puja is celebrated throughout India by Hindus. Saraswati is the goddess of Education, Arts and Crafts. This festival held in the month of Magh (January-February). This is a festival celebrated with young people, especially students who invokes the blessings of the goddess for success in learning, arts and crafts. More than any other state, is Saraswati Puja is celebrated in West Bengal in a stately manner. Next to West Bengal it is celebrated in the southern states of India as Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh etc. I schools, colleges and homes. Basant is celebrated as Saraswati Pooja Punjami OR Vasanat Punjami in many states of India.

Bakdevi, Biraj, Sarada, Brahmi, Satarupa, Mahasweta, Sarbasukia, Prithudar, Bagiswari are some of the other names of Goddess Saraswati.

Myths of the Goddess Saraswati

Amongst all the Hindu deities, Saraswati stands out as the most controversial. From the Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads to the popular ancient mythology, Saraswati appears through a veil of mystery. The Matsya Purana, Saraswati evolved from the mouth of Brahma. Such was her beauty and grace that Brahma pursued her. As she fled in different directions a head appeared, and as Brahma is attributed with five heads, she was the most unique creation of Brahma.

Celebration of Saraswati Puja

The idol is decorated in white, representing purity. The place where the idol is kept for Pooja is decorated with floral designs or Rangolois and design of a fish is considered favorable. Although different states India follow different methods to follow, following the method of worship is usually followed by the majority of the Indian people:

Family members bathe early and dress in yellow attire and assemble in front of the Goddess. A flat low stool made of wood covered with yellow cloth and the idol is placed on to the east direction. Then remain face idol covered until the priest starts singing mantras at the beginning of Puja.

A green coconut is placed on an earth embankment pot with a red checked cotton cloth called Gamcha. The actual puja flowers are used but the most significant is the Palash or flame of the forest and marigold flowers. In the southern part of the country, Lotus and other fragrant flowers like jasmine offered.

Books by students at home are placed before the goddess.

The main puja offerings to the goddess are mainly fruit, berries are most of the wild plum. Other fruit tapioca. Sweets containing puffed rice, jaggery and yogurt. The earthen pot is tied with a string that will be untied only on the next day by the priest before Bisarjan or immersion ceremony.

A Havan (hymn) is done by the priest (or the oldest in the family) using special wood, ghee, incense and incense. The absence of a burning smell means success for the puja. A diya or lamp is kept also shines with Prasad.

Arati performed by the person in the morning and again in the evening. This is done while chanting sanskrit slokas (in Brahmans house) or slokas from the regional language in non-Brahmins houses) and accompanied by the blowing of conch shells and beating of drums (in northern India or holy pooja bell in southern India) .

The lit lamp used during the Arati is passed around to each devotee to warm their hands and touching their heads.

The most important part of Saraswati Puja is, no one touches books on that day. This means that the goddess is blessing the books placed in front of her that day.

Eating vegetarian food is strictly followed on this day of Saraswati Pooja. Young Kids in the family is asked to write for the first time in life, the alphabets of the pastor   family elders. It suggests the first step in the acquisition of Knowledge.

The day the children take back their books, but standing in front of the goddess and read from them or write them.

Many people visit the temple on that day to worship God Saraswathi to get her blessing to get the Best of  Education   Arts   culture.