🌼 Saraswati Puja – Worship of Goddess Saraswati

Saraswati Puja, also known as Vasant Panchami or Sri Panchami, is a significant Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom, learning, music, and arts. She is worshipped especially by students, teachers, scholars, artists, and musicians.

📅 **When is Saraswati Puja Celebrated?

  • On the 5th day (Panchami) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the month of Magha (January–February).
  • It marks the arrival of spring (Vasant Ritu) and is also called Vasant Panchami.

🪔 Significance of Saraswati Puja

  • Goddess Saraswati symbolizes knowledge (Vidya), speech (Vāk), intellect (Buddhi) and artistic inspiration.
  • It’s believed that initiating children into learning on this day (called Vidyarambham) brings divine blessings.
  • Yellow, the color of knowledge and prosperity, dominates the celebrations.

🛕 Saraswati Puja Rituals

🌅 1. Preparations

  • Wake up early, clean the house and puja area.
  • Set up a clean altar with an idol or picture of Saraswati, usually seated on a lotus or swan, holding a veena.

🌼 2. Decorations & Offerings

  • Use yellow flowers, sandalwood paste, turmeric, kumkum, and fruits like bananas.
  • Keep books, notebooks, musical instruments, and tools of learning near the deity – to be blessed.
  • Dress in yellow or white attire.

🙏 3. Puja Procedure

  • Light a diya and incense sticks.
  • Recite Saraswati mantras and slokas:

“Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah”
“Saraswati Namasthubhyam Varade Kaamaroopini,
Vidyarambham Karishyami Siddhir Bhavatu Me Sada”

  • Offer prasadam: fruits, soaked chana (gram), jaggery, and yellow sweets like kesar halwa or boondi.

✍️ 4. Vidyarambham / Aksharabhyasa

  • Children are introduced to alphabets and learning by writing “Om” or “Aum” on a plate filled with rice or slate with turmeric paste.

🎶 Cultural Aspects

  • In schools and colleges, Saraswati Puja is observed with:
    • Group prayers, music and dance performances, essay competitions.
    • In Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar, students refrain from touching books until puja is over as a sign of reverence.

🌍 Regional Names and Celebrations

  • West Bengal: Known as Saraswati Pujo, with special altars in schools and community halls.
  • Tamil Nadu/Kerala: Celebrated during Navratri (last 3 days) as Saraswati Puja.
  • Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh: Children are initiated into learning (Aksharabhyasam).

🧘 Spiritual Message

Saraswati Puja promotes:

  • Respect for learning, wisdom, and discipline
  • Detachment from ignorance and ego
  • Development of inner clarity and knowledge