Saraswati Avahan

 

• The first day of the puja of Goddess Saraswati during the Navratra celebrations is known as ‘Saraswati Avahan’.
• It is observed on the ‘Mahasaptami’ (7th day) during the Shukla Paksha of Aswayuja or Ashwin Month.
• Goddess Saraswati is known to be the deity of music, wisdom, arts, and science.
• The Goddess has four arms and always wears a white sari. Her mount or ‘vahana’ is a swan, hamsa, or peacock.
• Usually the last three days of the grand Navratri Puja are dedicated to worshipping Goddess Saraswati.
• The Puja should be performed during the ‘Mula Nakshatra’,
• Actual puja should be performed during ‘Purva Ashadha Nakshatra’, the Balidan puja is done during ‘Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra’ and the Visarjan should be performed during ‘Shravana Nakshatra’.

Things to do :

• Devotees wake up early in the morning to start preparations for puja.
• As a part of the puja, there is a ritual of washing the feet of Goddess Saraswati, which is followed by a ‘sankalpam’.
• After this the idol of the Goddess is decorated with kumkum and Chandan (sandalwood paste) and this ritual is known as ‘alankaram’.
• Incense sticks and flowers are also offered to the deity, and naivedyam is offered to the goddess.
• Some people also observe a fast on the day of Saraswati Avahan.

2024 Date: October 09.