Saraswati Poojai.....

Saraswati Poojai.....

Vasant Panchami is normally known to be celebrated as Saraswati Pooja in most of the states in north India.
However in south India it is celebrated one day prior to Dasaharaa or Vijaya Dashami.
In fact in some parts of Maharashtra or Goa the celebrations start from Saptami or Ashtami days of Navaratri.
Saraswati Pooja has always been very special for me, more so because years ago I was born on that day. I was named as Vimala, as a tribute to her blessings. Maybe that is why I have been blessed with the desire to learn and to devote my whole life to gaining knowledge.
My mother a devote believer loved the song, " Annavaahan Devi Saraswati" and my father loves, the beautiful song " Vellai Tamarai poovil irrupaal" written by the revered and renowned poet Subramania Bharati.
No Navaratri would be complete without singing those songs and placing our books in front of Saraswati Devi seeking her blessings. We could not touch our books after that till the next day. This was one more reason why I loved this day all the more.
This year too, our day began with installing the photo and idols of Saraswati Devi and Lord Hayagreevan, the God of learning. Our books, laptops, Vishnu's cricket kit placed before them to seek their divine intervention to bless us knowledge and wisdom.
This is done in most of the homes in South India, where the pooja begins with placing a photo or idol of Saraswati Devi in their own homes along with their books and equipments. Children would be taking out books after worship on the next day, that is on Vijaya Dashami.
Vijaya Dashami is also known for Vidyarambham where children are formally introduced to the culture of learning music, dance, languages and other folk arts. Young ones who would be entering school are also made to write for the first time on rice.
Saraswati Pooja is therefore extremely special in south Indian homes. In fact till we grew up and went to study in University we only knew and performed Saraswati Pooja and never knew about Lakshmi Pooja.
Our son, Vishnu normally sings the shloka,
"Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa,
Yaa shubhravastraavritha, Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasana, Yaa brahmaachyutha shankaraprabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha, Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa...."
As we bowed in reverence before Saraswati Devi and Lord Hayagreevan today we sought their blessings to bless us with the desire to learn, gain knowledge and use it for the welfare of our society.....
May the Goddess Saraswati protect us. May she remove our weariness, sluggishness and ignorance and spread the light of knowledge and wisdom in our lives.....