Navaratri celebrations of Kerala begin with second month of Malayalam official calendar. Though no good functions like marriages, inaugurations etc are not conducted in the month Kanni, Navaratri celebrations begin with this month and it’s common for all states of India. It commence with Chithira star of Kanni and lasts for ten days, ending with Vijayadesami. Though Devi Durga is worshipped all over India during this auspicious occasion, Kerala gives preference to Saraswathi pooja and Vidhyarambham. Of the last three days of Navarathri, Saraswathy is worshipped in the last three days – Ashtami, Navami and Dashami.

Navaratri celebrations

As I have told, Navaratri celebrations begin on Chithira star of Kanni and lasts for 9 stars (nakshatram). It’s seen that Brahmins and people related to Tamil Nadu celebrate Navarathri celebrations more than other people. They make idols of Krishna, Rama, Saraswathy, Shiva, Parvathy, Vishnu, Lekshmi, Ganapathi, Subramaniya, Nandi etc, colour them bright and place them in their pooja rooms. For next nine days, they worship reciting poems, poojas etc to bring prosperity and happiness to the family. Decorated dolls of different deities in the pooja room is a spectacular sight to watch.

Saraswathy – Goddess of knowledge and wisdom

Yet, whole celebrations revolve around goddess of real power – knowledge. According to Hindu mythology, she is the master of knowledge. Since Dussera celebrations give the wonderful message of victory of light over darkness, it’s a nice idea to worship goddess Saraswathy during this auspicious occasion.

It’s with her grace, we got the ability to think good and speak well conquering the dark continents of ignorance. Musicians, poets, thinkers, philosophers, engineers, doctors etc are blessed with her grace. Kids before exams place their hall tickets, pens etc in front of her to get her blessings. Architects place their instruments before her. Power of true knowledge is the real power needed to conquer the whole world. She is always seen in white sari seated in a lotus in Padmasanam with Veena in her hand and opened book below her feet. A swan is always seen along with her. Her calm and pleasant look can sweep away all the darkness hidden in the deeper corners of our heart. She is one among Trishakthis along with Parvathy and Lekshmi.

Saraswathy pooja begins on Durgashtami

When whole India celebrates Durgashtami by worshipping Goddess Durga, South Indians commence their Saraswathy pooja in the evening. Though Goddess Kali or Durga is worshipped in devi temples, real celebrations is Saraswathy pooja. Since it’s the eighth day, it’s known as Ashtami and since Mahagauri is her eighth incarnation, she is worshipped.

How Saraswathi pooja is conducted

Saraswathy pooja is known as ‘Pooja Vaippu’ in Malayalam, meaning giving pooja. Idol or photo of goddess Saraswathy is decorated well with flower garlands. Normally garland made of nerium or jasmine is preferred. Then a  plantain leaf is placed in front of her, its tip pointing east direction. Then roasted rice in the form of aval and pori is placed before the goddess in the plantain leaf. Then sugar crystals known as ‘Kalkkandam’ and raisins are placed. Banana bunch is placed on the top. You can offer some fruits also. Place a little sindoor, kalabham and bhasma on one side of the leaf. Then light deepam and agarbathis. Agarbathis can be pierced in bananas. Light camphor on bhasma. Now place all text books, papers, notes,files, pencils, pens and geometric boxes in front of the goddess and pray to her to give intelligence, good memorizing power and sharp brain. Once you have placed your books for pooja, you can take them back only after completing the ritual on Vijayadesami morning, i.e. after two days.

Mahanavami is Ayudhapooja

Mahanavami – Thiruvonam star day is celebrated in south India as Ayudhapooja. While books are placed before Saraswathy on Durgashtami, weapons and instruments are placed for worship before the goddess Mahanavami evening. I still remember, soon after I gave birth to my child, I could see doctors placing their instruments before the goddess. My daughter is lucky to be born on a Mahanavami day when whole India was celebrating Deshara festival. Architects, carpenters, engineers, mechanics etc place their instruments for Saraswathi pooja.

Ceremony completes with Ponkala

Early morning of Vijayadesami, ponkala is made of rice, jaggary, coconut, raisins and cashew in an earthen pot. Bring that ponkala to pooja room as whole. Place a small plantain leaf with its tip pointing towards east. Then serve a little ponkala payasam on the plantain leaf.  Light deepam, agarbathi and camphor. Pray for a little while. Then gently hit everything placed two times as an indication of the end of the ritual. Then you can take everything back. It’s known as ‘Poojaeduppu’ in Malayalam meaning ‘taking back pooja’.

Read a few lines of the books

It’s believed if we dedicate a few minutes in reading books placed for pooja, Sarawathy devi will be pleased and will give sharp memory, intelligence and memorizing power in return. So, students do spend a little time in reading their books with full dedication. It’s true, such ceremonies give us a little more invisible power to see our set goals a little more near.

Saraswathy pooja is held in every temple of Kerala

Not only at homes, Saraswathy pooja is held in every temples of Kerala. Holy Ramayana and Holy Mahabharata will be placed. Students also give one or two of their books to be placed in the temple for Saraswathy pooja. It’s also held in schools, colleges, offices, workshops, business institutions and even in tuition centers. For anything that we want blessings from mother Saraswathy can be placed for pooja.

Pooja ends with Vijayadesami

Vijayadesami is the day of Vidhyarambham in Kerala. Kids between the age of two and three learn the first letters of alphabets on this auspicious day. Vidhyarambham also known as ezhuthiruthu in Malayalam is normally conducted before Goddess Saraswathy, the place where Saraswathi pooja is done. A religious person or a personality related to literature, arts or politics make kids write Harisree in a bowl of rice or sand, marking the beginning of his formal education.  So, cultural Kerala relates itself to Goddess Saraswathy before beginning studies. Also, it seeks blessings from the Goddess before any task to begin.