Saraswati is the goddess of science and art. Saraswati is usually worshiped by students, working professionals, artists, and musicians who wish to gain special skills, academic strength, wisdom, and health. Hindus worship Goddess Saraswati during the festivals of Vasant Panchami and Navratri. You can also do this worship at home whenever you want to worship Dewi Saraswati. To perform the ritual, get up early in the morning and take a bath, clean your house, arrange idols and kalash, chant mantras, and complete offerings to the goddess.
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Method 1 of 3: Performing the Morning Ritual
Step 1. Get up between 05:00 - 08:00 in the morning
When worshiping Dewi Saraswati, getting up in the morning is a common practice. You can set the alarm to 05:00 - 08:00 am or wake up when the sun starts to enter the room.
Allow at least 1 hour to complete the ritual. Some people spend even more time
Step 2. Rub a paste made from a mixture of neem and turmeric leaves all over your body
To make the paste, soak about 20 neem leaves in hot water until they are soft. Drain the leaves and mash with a mortar and pestle. Then, pour in about 1.25 grams of turmeric and mash it. Blend the paste, then apply as thinly as possible on your face, chest, arms, upper body, and legs.
- This paste is believed to have a good therapeutic effect on health. For example, neem and turmeric leaves are very effective in treating acne and maintaining healthy skin.
- Make as much paste as needed.
Step 3. Soak in neem leaves and holy basil
After applying neem leaves and turmeric paste all over the body, fill a bath with warm water and sprinkle 1-3 grams of neem leaves and holy basil. Soak in the tub for 15-30 minutes and rub a paste of neem and turmeric leaves.
This ritual bath will cleanse your body and protect you from infection
Step 4. Wear white or yellow clothes
After bathing, it is customary to wear white and yellow clothes for worship. You can wear trousers, pencil skirts, blouses, or dresses in these colors.
- Usually, people who perform worship rituals wear matching colored clothes, instead of mixed colored clothes. For example, you can dress in white or look elegant with yellow and yellow clothes.
- Yellow is a color that symbolizes knowledge and learning in Hinduism.
- The white color symbolizes purity, peace, and knowledge.
Method 2 of 3: Arranging Worship Statues and Kalash
Step 1. Clean your house the day before performing the worship of Dewi Saraswati
Before doing worship, clean your house thoroughly. Tidy up every room, and – most importantly – make sure all your books on the shelves are positioned upright. Use natural cleaning products such as olive soap, vinegar solution, or essential oils to clean appliances, computers, and laptops.
- If you couldn't clean the house the day before, do so after washing yourself.
- If you perform worship as part of the Navratri celebrations, everything should be cleared on the 8th day of the Navratri feast.
- If you can't use natural cleaning products, you can use all-purpose cleaning products. Natural cleaning products are more environmentally friendly and preferred by Dewi Saraswati than chemical based products.
- Since Saraswati is the Goddess of Learning, the Hindu community believes that she will be happy if you tidy up your library properly.
Step 2. Spread a piece of white cloth on a high enough plane, then place your idol of worship on it
This is the base of the altar. You can wear any white fabric, such as silk or linen. Smooth the fabric by hand so that there are no creases or wrinkles. Then, place the statue of Dewi Saraswati in the center.
- For example, you can use a small table to place the statue.
- Statues or displays of Dewi Saraswati are usually used as objects of worship.
- If you don't have a statue, use a photo.
Step 3. Place the statue of Lord Ganesha next to Goddess Saraswati
In addition to worshiping Goddess Saraswati, Lord Ganesha is also often worshiped when worshiping at home. Ganesha is the “god of starting work” who is usually worshiped at the start of ceremonies. After placing the statue of Goddess Saraswati, place the statue of Ganesha on its side.
Ganesha is also believed to be the reliever of trouble and the guardian of arts and sciences
Step 4. Decorate your altar with turmeric, ginger, rice and flowers
Sprinkle the ingredients around the two statues. You can also use your fingers to spread the rice, garlands, and assorted flowers, and use a spoon to sprinkle the turmeric and dates. Use white, yellow, red, blue, and green flowers.
- In addition, you can place these items in small bowls and then place them near the statue.
- These materials are very commonly used to worship Dewi Saraswati.
- Each color has its own meaning in Hindu belief. For example, red is the color of celebration and strength. Yellow represents knowledge and wisdom. Green is able to stabilize the mind. White is a symbol of purity, peace and wisdom. Lastly, blue symbolizes nature, courage, understanding, and strength.
Step 5. Place books, musical instruments, and art supplies near the altar
Since Dewi Saraswati is synonymous with learning and art, it has become a tradition to fill the space around her statue with art objects and learning tools. You can place them under a table or near a statue.
For example, you could also include a journal, pen, ink, and a paintbrush
Step 6. Fill the kalash, add mango leaves, and place the betel leaf on top
Kalash is a brass or copper vessel with a small mouth and wide bottom used in Hindu rituals. Place the kalash on the altar, then fill it with water. Place a stalk containing at least 5 mango leaves in the container. Then, put the betel leaf over the mouth of the container.
- Kalash symbolizes creation.
- The mango leaves are believed to serve as the seat of the god during the ritual, while the water will keep the seat holy.
Method 3 of 3: Finishing the Worship
Step 1. Chant the worship mantra of Dewi Saraswati to make a wish
Take a deep breath. On exhaling, recite the following mantra: “Yaa kundendu tushaaradhawala, yaa shubhra vastravrutha, yaa veena varadanda manditakara yaa shweta padmasanaa. Yaa brahmachyuta shankara prabhrutibhi devai sadaa vandita, saa maama pathu saraswati bhagavati nishshesha, jadyapaha. Aum saraswathyae namah, dhyanartham, pushpam samarpayami.”
Step 2. Light the candlestick and burn the incense stick in front of the statue
Place the chandelier in front of the elevated plane, then place the incense burner beside it. Prepare a match and light the two objects.
- If you use an oil candlestick, be careful not to spread the fire.
- The light of the kendil will protect you during prayer, while the incense is an offering to Goddess Saraswati.
Step 3. Give Dewi Saraswati prasad in the form of sweets and fruits
Prasad is a variety of food offerings that are offered in Hindu ceremonies. To complete the worship, you can offer offerings such as mango leaves, fruits and dessert to Dewi Saraswati.
- This is believed to draw the goddess closer so that she can bestow blessings and prosperity on you.
- Prasad means to give food offerings instead of providing certain foods.
Step 4. Sit in silence for 5-15 minutes while asking for blessings from Dewi Saraswati
You can close your eyes and meditate while doing it. Focus your thoughts on Dewi Saraswati and ask her to bless you and your ambitions in academic or creative fields.
As an illustration, you can sit in silence until the stick of incense burns out
Step 5. Eat prasad and offer it to friends and family
After completing the ritual, eat some of the fruit or cake served as prasad, then share it with friends and family. It is believed to be able to share luck and blessings in the environment around you.
