Saraswati Puja

Saraswati Puja 2024: Significance, Date, Time, Puja Vidhi

Feb 28, 2024priyamvadha b

Saraswati Puja, a widely celebrated occasion in India, is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. This day falls in two different time periods for devotees residing in the northern and southern parts of the country. In the north, Saraswati Puja coincides with Vasant Panchami, the fifth day in the waxing phase of the Hindu Magha month (February in the Gregorian calendar). 

In South India, Saraswati Puja falls on the ninth day of Sharada Navaratri (October in the Gregorian calendar), which is known as Navami, and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswati. 

Beyond formal education, many also take this opportune day to initiate their children into the world of music, dance, arts and invoke Her blessings to guide and inspire them on their creative journey. 

Read more to know about the goddess, the significance of worshipping her, her various names, and a step-by-step guide to perform Saraswathi Pooja.

Who is Goddess Saraswati?

 Saraswati Devi is the goddess of knowledge, speech, and arts. She is seated on a white lotus and plays a ‘Veena’. She is said to reside in the words spoken by people, songs sung by nightingales, in the hands of the sculptor, in songs and the voices of singers, the hearts of poets, the sweet language of parrots, paintings, handicrafts, cultural performances, dances and all other forms of art.

Clad in a white saree, she symbolizes purity and knowledge and mounts a swan. The name of her Veena is said to be ‘Kachchapi’. The word ‘Saraswati’ has different meanings. It combines the words ‘Saras’ which means a body of water and ‘Vati’ which refers to a woman. In another context, ‘Saras’ means ‘speech’ and the name can be implied as the goddess of speech. When you break the word into three parts – ‘Sara’, ‘Sw’, and ‘Vati’, it can mean the essence of self.

Saraswati Puja

Saraswati Devi is worshipped as part of the trinity of goddesses (Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati). On the last day of Navaratri, she is said to transform into Maha Saraswati. On the ninth day, known as Mahanavami, it is believed that Saraswati Devi created powerful weapons to slay the demon Mahishasura. The weapons were later revered as sacred, and people began to worship them. This tradition has evolved into the practice of "Ayudha Puja," where people worship tools and instruments that are essential in their daily lives.

In the North, the fields come alive with the vibrant yellow blooms of mustard. Devotees often wear yellow clothes. They prepare Kesari-based sweets and dishes such as Meethi Chawal (Zarda Pulao), Kesar Sheera (Sooji ka Halwa), Khichdi, Kesar Kheer and Laddu. 

During Navaratri celebrations in South India, the first eight days involve the worship of different forms of the Goddess, with offerings specific to each form. On the final day, Saraswati Devi is worshipped, and it is considered an occasion for seeking her blessings for knowledge and wisdom. In North India, Saraswati is worshipped during Basant Panchami. It is considered an opportune occasion to do 'Akshara Abhyasa' and 'Vidya Arambham' for little children on the threshold of commencing their formal education. 

 This year, Vasant Panchami (Saraswati Puja) falls on 14 February 2024. The Muhurat (auspicious hour) is from 07:01 am to 12.35 pm. 


Offerings to Saraswati 

Offerings to Goddess Saraswati typically include a garland made of white flowers. During Saraswati Puja, the use of white flowers, especially white jasmine, is considered highly auspicious and symbolizes purity. It is believed that presenting white jasmine garlands as an offering is a highly auspicious and auspicious gesture that invokes the abundant blessings of Goddess Saraswati.

 During Saraswati Puja, it is considered a beautiful tradition for children and devotees to place their school books, laptops, stationery items, musical instruments, and other learning materials before the deity and seek her blessings. In the South, it is a day off for students, and are asked not to study or read anything. Similarly newspaper organisations are closed on the day. Children and young learners also offer prayers and recite hymns or slokas dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. Many offer white jasmine garlands as prasadam (a sacred offering) during the puja. In South, devotees prepare Suyyam/Suzhiyan, a simple sweet and Sundal to the deity.

Saraswati Puja Mantra

सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि ।

विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा 

Saraswati Namastubhyam Varade Kaama-Roopini

Vidyaarambham Karishyaami Siddhir-Bhavatu Me Sadaa


या देवी सर्वभूतेषु विद्यारूपेण संस्थिता नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Yaa Devii Sarva-Bhuutessu Buddhi-Ruupenna Samsthitaa 

Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah 


या कुन्देन्दु तुषारहार धवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता।

या वीणावर दण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना॥

या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकर प्रभृतिभिर्देंवै: सदा वन्दिता।

सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥

Ya Kundendu Tusharahara Dhavala Ya Shubhra Vastravruta

Ya VeenaVara DandaManditakara Ya ShwetPadmasana

Ya BrahmachyutShankara PrabhritibihiDevaih Sada Vandita

Sa Mam Pattu Saraswati Bhagwati NihsheshJadyapaha ||


108 names of Goddess Saraswati

Saraswati Devi is known by different names such as Vagdevi, Sharada, Hamsavahini, Hamsa, Yazhini, etc. Here is the Saraswati Ashtottara Shatanamavali Stotram in English. 

 

Om Saraswatyai Namaha

Om Maha bhadrayai Namaha

Om Mahamayayai Namaha

Om Varapradayai Namaha

Om Sripradayai Namaha

Om Padma nilayayai Namaha

Om Padmakshyai Namaha

Om Padma vakthrayai Namaha

Om Sivanujayai Namaha

Om Pustaka bruthe Namaha

Om Gnana mudrayai Namaha

Om Ramaayai Namaha

Om Parayai Namaha

Om Kama rupayai Namaha

Om Maha vidyayai Namaha

Om Mahapataka nasinyai Namaha

Om Mahaasrayayi Namaha

Om Maalinyai Namaha

Om Maha bhogayai Namaha

Om Maha bhujayai Namaha

Om Maha bhagayai Namaha

Om Mahotsahayai Namaha

Om Divyangayai Namaha

Om Sura vandithayai Namaha

Om Mahakalyai Namaha

Om Mahapasayai Namaha

Om Mahakarayai Namaha

Om Mahankusayai Namaha

Om Peetayai Namaha

Om Vimalayai Namaha

Om Viswayai Namaha

Om Vidyunmalayai Namaha

Om Vaishnavyai Namaha

Om Chandrikayai Namaha

Om Chandra vadanayai Namaha

Om Chandralekha vibhushithayai Namaha

Om Savithryai Namaha

Om Surasaayai Namaha

Om Devyai Namaha

Om Divyaalankara bhushithayai Namaha

Om Vagdevyai Namaha

Om Vasudhayai Namaha

Om Teevrayai Namaha

Om Maha bhadrayai Namaha

Om Maha balayai Namaha

Om Bhoghadayai Namaha

Om Bharatyai Namaha

Om Bhamaayai Namaha

Om Govindayai Namaha

Om Gomathyai Namaha

Om Sivaayai Namaha

Om Jathilayai Namaha

Om Vindhya vasaayai Namaha

Om Vindhyachala virajithayai Namaha

Om Chandikayai Namaha

Om Vaishnavyai Namaha

Om Brahmyai Namaha

Om Brahmagnanaika sadhanayai Namaha

Om Saudaminyai Namaha

Om Sudhamurthyai Namaha

Om Subhadrayai Namaha

Om Sura poojithyai Namaha

Om Suvasinyai Namaha

Om Sunaasayai Namaha

Om Vinidrayai Namaha

Om Padmalochanayai Nama

Om Vidhya rupayai Namaha

Om Visalakshyai Namaha

Om Brahma jayayai Namaha

Om Maha phalayai Namaha

Om Trayi-mruthyai Namaha

Om Trikalagnayai Namaha

Om Trigunayai Namaha

Om Sastra rupinyai Namaha

Om Sumbhasura pramardhinyai Namaha

Om Subhadayai Namaha

Om Sarvatmikayai Namaha

Om Rakthabeeja nihantryai Namaha

Om Chamundayai Namaha

Om Ambikayai Namaha

Om Mundakaya praharanayai Namaha

Om Dhumralochana mardinyai Namaha

Om Sarvadeva stuthayai Namaha

Om Saumyayai Namaha

Om Suraasura namaskruthayai Namaha

Om Kalarathryai Namaha

Om Kalaadharayai Namaha

Om Rupasaubhagya dayinyai Namaha

Om Vagdevyai Namaha

Om Varaarohayai Namaha

Om Vaaraahyai Namaha

Om Vaarijasanayai Namaha

Om Chitrambarayai Namaha

Om Chitra gandhayai Namaha

Om Chitramalya vibhushithayai Namaha

Om Kantayai Namaha

Om Kamapradayai Namaha

Om Vandhyayai Namaha

Om Vidhyadhara supoojithayai Namaha

Om Swethananayai Namaha

Om Neelabhujayai Namaha

Om Chaturvarga phalapradayai Namaha

Om Chaturanana samrajyayai Namaha

Om Rakthamadhyayai Namaha

Om Niranjanayai Namaha

Om Hamsaasanayai Namaha

Om Neela-jhamghayai Namaha

Om Brahma Vishnu Shivatmikayai Namaha

Saraswati Puja Samagri list

Haridra, Kumkum, Akshataa, Chandan Tablets, Vastra, Yagnopavitha, Karpoora, Karpoora Holder, AgarbathiAgarbathi holderSambrani, Sambrani holder, Peeta for Puja Bell, Lamp, Oil for lampPeeta for Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Saraswati Idol, KalashaPanchapatra – UddharanaArghyapatra, Phugi Phala, Betel Leaves.

Naivedyam – Payasam, Panchamrita, Naivedyam Plate, Tambulam, Betel Leaves, Phugi Phala (Betel Nuts), Banana, Coins, Flowers, Flower Bowl, Fresh Flowers, Books and Pens

Items for Kumkum Archana: Betel Leaves, Coins

Saraswati Puja is specially performed on Ashwayuja Shukla Paksha Saptami during Navaratri.

Saraswati or Sharadhamba is the Goddess of knowledge. She is the wife of Lord Brahma.

It is believed that performing Saraswati Puja is significant for students and it helps improve one's attitude towards learning. Saraswati puja can be performed at any time throughout the year.

You Can buy Sampoorna Saraswati Puja Kit here - https://www.cycle.in/saraswati-puja-kit-basant-panchami

How to do Saraswati puja at home

Achamana: Take water in the Uddharane thrice and drink it while reciting each name of the deity.

keśavāya namaḥ - nārāyaṇāya namaḥ - mādhavāya namaḥ

Take a little water in the Uddharane and release it into the Arghya Patra by pointing the fingers downwards reciting; govindāya namaḥ.

This process is meant to cleanse the mind and purify the body of the performer so that he can offer worship to Goddess Saraswati.

Prananayamya:

prāṇānāyamya recakaṃ pūrakaṃcaiva kuṃbhakaṃca tathaiva ca prāṇāyāmaṃ iti proktaṃ ṛṣibhiḥ parikīrtitaṃ

Gantanada: Ring the bell a couple of times

Deepa Prajwalana: Light the two lamps placed on either side of the deity.

Ganapathi Prarthana:

Take a flower and some Akshata in your right hand. Join the two palms together with your fingers pointing towards the deity. Offer the flower and Akshata to the deity and pray to Lord Ganesha. 

Sankalpa: Place your left palm on the right thigh, put a flower and some Akshata on it, and close the left palm with your right palm, close your eyes, and recite the Shloka for Sankalpah.  

Significance: Through this procedure, you are taking an oath to perform the Puja.

Kalasharadhane:  Take Chandan tablets, pour some water, and prepare chandan paste. Apply Chandan paste followed by Kumkum to all four sides of the Kalasha. Put a flower and Akshata into the Kalasha. Cover the Kalasha with your right palm and recite;

kalaśārādhanam kalaśaṃ caturdikṣu gaṃdha akṣataiḥ alaṃkṛtya kalaśe kusuma akṣatān kṣiptva kalaśopari hastamācchādya gaṃge ca yamune kṛṣṇe godāvarī sarasvatī  narmade siṃdhu kāveri jalesmin sannidhiṃ kuru.

Take the flower out of the Kalasha and sprinkle the water in it to the Deity, Puja items, and yourself.

Dhyana: Hold your palms together in the traditional Namaskar posture and recite;

Om ata dhyānam Sarasvati namastubhyaṃ varade kāmarūpiṇi  vidyāraṃbhaṃ kariṣyāmi siddhirbhavatu

me sadā sarasvatyai namaḥ  dhyāyāmi dhyānaṃ samarpayāmi

Avahana: Stretch your arms by spreading the arms in front of the idol and recite;

Chaturbhujāṃ caṃdravarṇāṃ caturānanavallabhāṃ āvāhayāmi vāṇi tvāmāśritārti vināśanīṃ

Sarasvatyai namaḥ āvāhayāmi āvāhanaṃ samarpayāmi.

Praanapratishthapane: Offer Akshata to the deity.

Asana:  Offer a flower and Akshata at the feet of the deity.

Padya: Take water in Uddharana, show it to the deity, and release the water into the Arghya patra.

Arghya: Take water in the Uddharana, show it to the deity, and release the water into the Arghya patra.

Achamana: Take water in the Uddharana, show it to the deity, and release the water into the Arghya patra.

Shudhodhaka Snana: Take water in the uddharane, hold it in your left hand; take a flower; dip the flower in water, now sprinkle it on the deity.

Panchamritha Snana: Take five holy items namely milk, curds, ghee, honey, and Sugar in a bowl. Take a flower; dip it in the Panchamritha and sprinkle it on to the deity.

Shudhodaka Snana: Take water in the uddharane, hold it in the left hand; take a flower; dip the flower in the water, and sprinkle it on the deity.

Vastra: Take the holy Vastra made with pure cotton. Hold the two ends by both hands and offer it to the deity.

Yagnopaveeta:  Hold the holy thread i.e. Yagnopaveeta by hand and apply Haridra and Kumkum to it. Offer the holy thread to the deity.

Chandana:  Offer Chandana with a flower to the deity

Akshata: Offer Akshata to the deity.

Parimala Dravya: Offer Haridra and Kumkum one after the other to the deity.

Pushpa Mala (flower garland): Offer garland to the deity

Saraswati Ashtottara Shatanamavalli – Recite the 108 names of Saraswati Devi.

Pushpa Puja: Offer a flower to the deity

Kumkumarchane: Place the betel leaf in front of the deity.

Offer Kumkum on the betel leaf.

Dhoopa: Take Naivedya Cup Sambrani, light it, and place it on the Naivedya Cup Sambrani holder.

Light two agarbathi and rotate them thrice in a clockwise direction in front of the deity, beginning with the feet.

Deepa: Put Akshata near the Lamps placed on either side of the deity.

Naivedya: Draw a square with water on the right side of the deity. Put Haridra, Kumkum, Akshata, and a flower at the center of the square and place Naivedya bowl on it.

Naivedyam: Offer it to the deity. Sprinkle water with a flower from the Uddharane onto the Naivedyam. Put water around the Naivedyam with a flower; release water into the Arghya patra. Request the deity to accept Naivedya by showing your hands. 

Tamboola: Prepare and place Tamboolam in front of the deity.

Sprinkle water with a flower from the Uddharane onto the Tamboola. Put water around the Tamboola with a flower; release water into the Arghya parta. Request deity to accept Tamboola.

Uttara Neerajana: Light the Karpoora in the Karpoora Holder, add Akshata, water, and a flower on the tip of the Karpoora Holder; where you hold.

Rotate it clockwise in front of the deity, and simultaneously ring the bell by your left hand. 

Mantra Pushpa: Offer flowers.

 

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