Ya Kundendu Tusharhar Dhavalaa, Ya Shubhra Vastravritaa;
Ya Veenavardandmanditkara, Ya shwet Padmasana.
Ya Brahmascheut Shankar Prabhritirbhirdewah Sadabanditah;
Sa Maam Patu Saraswati Devi, Ya Nishesh Jadyapahaa.
(या कुन्देन्दु तुषारहार धवला, या शुभ्र वस्त्रावृता !
या वीणावरदंडमंडितकरा, या श्वेत पद्मासना !!
या ब्रह्मास्च्युत शंकर प्रभृतिर्भिरदेवाः सदाबंदिताः
सा मां पातु सरस्वती देवी, या निशेष जाड़यापहा !!)

Saraswati is the Goddess of wisdom and music. Wisdom is considered the best of all things in this world. It is believed that Mother Laxmi and Kaali resides where Goddess Saraswati lives. It's best example is the temple of Mata Vaishno Devi where Goddess Saraswati, Laxmi and Kaali, all the three super powers resides. The way Navratra is considered to be important for the worship of Mata Durga, in the same way Basant Panchami is considered to be important for the worship of Mata Saraswati.

On the day of Saraswati Pooja, Magh Shukla Panchami, Goddess Saraswati is woshipped by the students and teachers in all the educational institutions. Goddess Saraswati is also considered the Devi of art and is also worshipped by peoples related to this field. On this day the students also worship the books, copies and pens along with the Goddess Saraswati. Musicians worship their instruments and the Painters worship their paint-brushes and colours.

Birth story of Godess Saraswati

During the construction of this world, Devi Mahalakshmi appeared first and evoked Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. When all the three appeared, Devi Mahalakshmi requested all three Gods to produce Goddesses as per their qualities. Lord Shiva evoked Maha Kaali from Tamogun, Lord Vishnu evoked Devi Laxmi from Rajogun and Lord Brahma evoked Devi Saraswati from Satvagun. When the three Goddesses appeared then Mahalakshmi gifted them to the Gods who evoked them to run the universe. After this, Mata Mahalakshmi merged herself in Mata Lakshmi.

How Godess Saraswati became the "Goddess of Music"?

After building the universe, Lord Brahma saw that his creation is quiet like a dead body. It has neither a sound nor any music. Lord Brahma was not happy with the sadistic view of his universe. Then Lord Brahma went to Vishnu and told him about his creation. Lord Vishnu told Brahma that Goddess Saraswati can help him solve his problem. He advised him to evoke Goddess Saraswati and the sound of her Veena will give voice to his creation.

On suggestion of Lord Vishnu, Brahma ji evoked Goddess Saraswati. When she appeared, Brahma requested her to give sound to his creation from her Veena. The moment Saraswati touched the wires of Veena, 'sa' alphabet came out from it. This alphabet is the first sound of the seven sounds of music.

The flow of this music gave voice to the voice less universe. Winds, rivers, sea, birds, animals and all other things got voice. This made Brahma ji happy and he gave the name Vageshwari to Goddess Saraswati. Godddess Saraswati holds a Veena in her hand and thus she is also called Veenapaani.

Vasant Panchami : The Birthday of Goddess Saraswati

Since ancient times, there is a tradition of worshipping Goddess Saraswati on the day of Basant Panchami. There is a belief that Goddess Saraswati appeared on this day and to celebrate her birthday, her devotees perform her pooja.

Saraswati Pooja Celebration

It is impossible even to think about this world without knowledge and sound. Goddess Saraswati is the Lord of these things, due to which, not only humans but Gods as well as the demons worship her with full devotion. On the day of Saraswati Pooja, the people worship the idol or the photo of the Goddess. Different Pooja committees also organises grand pooja celebrations of the Goddess.

What is theh best method for Saraswati Pooja?

While performing Saraswati Pooja, the idol or photo of Goddess Saraswati is kept in front. After this, pinnacle or kalash is enshrined and Ganesh and the nine planets are worshipped. After this Mata Saraswati is worshipped. While worshipping Mother Saraswati, Aachman is performed and she is bathed. After this, flowers, garlands, Vermilions and other make up things are offered. On this day, Gulaal is also offered on the feets of Mother Saraswati.

Devi Saraswati wears white clothes so she should be coated with that. On occassion of Saraswati Poojan, yellow flowers are offered and seasonal fruits and boondiyas are offered as Prasad. On this occassion, Malpua and Kheer are also offered to the Goddess.

Havan of Goddess Saraswati

After performing the pooja, Havan is performed. For Havan, one and quarter hands should be measured and a mark should be made on all the four sides of the Havan Kund or the earth. Clean it with Kusha, sanctify it with Ganga Jal and lit fire with small pieces of Mango woods. During Havan, Ganesh ji is worshipped first and then it is performed on the name of Navagra. After this Goddess Saraswati is worshipped and havan is performed reciting the Mantra "Om Shri Saraswatyai Namah Swaha". After havan, aarti is performed and the Bhabhut (Ashes) is applied.

Saraswati Immersion

After Saraswati Puja, on morning , Magh Shukla Panchami, Saraswati is worshippd. In the evening, the Goddess is greeted and then immersed in the water.