Saraswati Puja Vidhi
Hindus celebrate Saraswati Puja on Vasant Panchami, which is a festival that marks the beginning of the spring season. On the day of Saraswati Puja, it is a popular ritual to initiate the education of young children on this day. This ritual is known as Akshar-Abhyasam or Vidya-Arambham. On this day, young girls drape themselves in yellow or Basanti coloured sarees and yellow coloured Prasad is prepared that includes laddoo, sweet saffron pudding, pineapple semolina pudding etc. and yellow flowers, such as marigold are offered to the Goddess.
- Saraswati Puja Vidhi
- Place the deity’s photograph facing the east or west direction on a wooden platform covered with yellow or red cloth.
- Besides books, musical instruments, pens and pencils are placed beside the deity.
- Use ghee, sesame or mustard oil to light the earthen or the brass lamp.
- The next step is to burn a few incense sticks
- Invite the deity with utmost devotion to invoke her blessings.
- Apply kumkum and chandan tikka on the deity’s forehead.
- Finally chant the following shloka
“Ya Kundendu-Tushara-Hara-Dhavala, Ya Shubhra-Vastravrita,
Ya Vina-Vara-Danda-Mandita-Kara, Ya Shveta-Padmasana॥
Ya Brahmachyuta-Shankara-Prabhritibhirdevaih Sada Vandita,
Sa Mam Patu Saraswati Bhagawati Nihshesha-Jadyapaha॥“
