Saraswati An important ceremony called Avahan is performed in honour of Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of study, music, art, wisdom, and knowledge. Especially on the occasions of Saraswati Puja and Navaratri, this practice signifies the goddess’s petition or welcome. “Avahan” means “invocation” or “calling upon,” and it refers to the respectful and devout act of welcoming the goddess into one’s house or place of worship.
Saraswati Avahan’s Significance: A Celebration of Knowledge and Learning: Saraswati Avahan honours the goddess, who stands for knowledge, wisdom, and education. Devotees have the chance to ask for her blessings for academic achievement and artistic brilliance, especially as they relate to students, artists, and intellectuals.
Spiritual and Cultural Significance: In Hinduism, the rite emphasises the value of education and knowledge. It is a time to pay tribute to the goddess who banishes ignorance’s darkness and grants wisdom. Saraswati Avahan signifies the start of Saraswati Puja, which is celebrated on the eighth or ninth day of Navaratri in various Indian states, particularly in West Bengal, Odisha, and South India.
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Customs and Traditions:
Cleaning and adorning the house or place of worship is the first step in the Saraswati Avahan preparations. A tidy and calm setting is thought to be necessary in order to call the goddess.
Altar Setup: An image or idol of Goddess Saraswati is placed on an altar. It is decorated with garlands, flowers, and other ornaments. As offerings to the goddess, books, musical instruments, and educational resources are arranged on the altar.
Invocation: To invoke Goddess Saraswati, one must recite certain mantras and hymns as part of the Avahan ceremony. Devotees ask the goddess to take up residence in the picture or idol and bestow upon it wisdom and understanding.
Offerings: Offerings are made to the goddess, including fruits, candies, flowers, coconuts, and betel leaves. White is the colour of choice for sacrifices and decorations because it represents wisdom and purity.
Saraswati Vandana: Hymns honouring the goddess are sung by devotees during Saraswati Vandana. “Saraswati Namastubhyam,” “Ya Kundendu Tusharahara Dhavala,” and other stotras celebrating her virtues are well-known hymns.
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Aarti and Prayers: To ask the goddess’ blessings, after the invocation comes the ritual of waving lit lamps, known as aarti, and prayers. Prayers for prosperity in the arts, sciences, and other intellectual endeavours are frequently recited by devotees.
Swearing Off Studies: In certain customs, particularly in Bengal, followers leave their books and study aids on the altar and promise not to use them again until the idol is submerged (Visarjan), which represents total submission to the goddess.
Saraswati Avahan during the celebration of Navaratri: Saraswati Puja begins on the eighth (Ashtami) or ninth (Navami) day of the Navaratri festival with the performance of Saraswati Avahan. In honour of the divine feminine force, the goddess, Durga, and Lakshmi are worshipped during this time.
South Indian Tradition: Saraswati Avahan is performed on the ninth day of Navaratri, also known as Mahanavami, in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The puja concludes on the following day, Vijayadashami, which is also seen as a lucky day to begin new artistic and educational efforts.
Advantages of Saraswati Avahan
Gratitude for Scholarly Achievement: The belief is that calling upon Goddess Saraswati bestows onto students her blessings for academic success, enabling them to surpass learning challenges and achieve academic excellence.
Improvement of Creative Talent: In order to reach their goals and become the best in their industries, writers, singers, and artists pray to the goddess for guidance and blessings.
Spiritual Development: The ceremony promotes spiritual development by highlighting the pursuit of wisdom, knowledge, and intellectual advancement as routes to enlightenment. Saraswati Avahan and its related rituals contribute to the preservation and promotion of Hinduism’s rich cultural legacy and traditions pertaining to knowledge and education.
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Saraswati Avahan is a highly esteemed ceremony honouring the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. It is an essential component of Hindu culture, highlighting the value of knowledge, learning, and intellectual endeavours in achieving spiritual and human development.
Date – 9th Oct, 2024
Day – Wednesday
Mula Nakshatra Avahan Muhurat – 10:25 to 16:42