Saraswati Pooja is considered as
one of the most sacred Poojas performed by people mostly in India. This Pooja
is widely popular in the states of Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra
Pradesh. Apart from India, this Pooja is also celebrated in Nepal, Japan,
Indonesia and Thailand.
Saraswati Pooja is performed to
seek the blessing of Goddess Saraswati, who is considered as the goddess of
education, apart from art, culture and music. She is one among the tridevi, which include goddess Lakshmi
and goddess Parvati. Goddess Saraswati is one of the famous avatars of goddess
Durga and is usually depicted sitting on the Lotus flower with Veena or ridding
the Swan.
Saraswati Pooja is also known as
Vasant Panchami or Basant Panchami, as it is celebrated on the 5th day of
spring in during Navaratri.
The following three days signifies
Astami, Navami and Dashami. Dashami is the day of victory, when goddess Durga
killed Mahishasura which is celebrated as Vijayadashami or very well known as
Dusshera.
Performing Pooja to goddess
Saraswati would bring knowledge and talent. This Pooja also wipes away
negatively and brings positivity for the entire family.
People who perform this Pooja
would understand the clarity of thought and the ability to take risks and
overcome them with success which would strengthen and empower an individual's
life.
This day is considered very
auspicious as children would start their learning process and this day is also
marked as the best day to inaugurate educational institutions.
Observation
- Place Ganesh idol near goddess Saraswati along with books and musical instruments.
- Start with Avahana, which is the invocation of goddess Saraswati by chanting Saraswati mantras.
- Offer flowers, cleanse the feet and offer scented water with Abhisekha and offer vastra to goddess Saraswati.
- Now offer naivedya, tamboola and dakshine to goddess Saraswati.
- End with Aarathi and seek pardon from goddess Saraswati for any known or unknown mistakes done during Pooja.