, the embodiment of Knowledge. She is depicted as wearing a purepure----whitewhite sari, which symbolises the illumination of ththee Supreme Truth.

It is significant that Vijaya Dashami is considered auspiauspiciouscious for mantra initiation; advanced spiritual aspirants are also initiated into Sannyasa (vow of renunciation) on this day.

Saraswati Puja and Vidyarambham

The tenth day is called Vijaya Dashami. DevoteeDevoteess performperform a Saraswati Puja (ceremonial worship) to invoke the blessings of Saraswati. Some devotees also perform pujas dedicated to to mark Her victory over the demon, Mahishasura

Goddess Saraswati is represented as a graceful woman in white, a symbol of purity and peace. She is the who signifies knowledge, learning, arts and culture. She is seen as the serene Goddess wearing a crescent moon on her brow riding a swan or seated on a lotus flower. Saraswati Puja is performed to pay allegallegianceiance to thethe Goddess of learning.

Saraswati Puja

Goddess Saraswati is representerepresentedd as a graceful womanwoman in white, a symbol of purity and peace. She is the Goddess who signifies knowledge, learning, arts and culture. She is seen as the serene Goddess wearing a crescent moon on her brow riding a swan or seated on a lotus flower. Saraswati Puja is performed to pay allegiance to the Goddess of learning.

The Mythology In the , Goddess Saraswati is refered as the water deity and is revered for her purifying and enriching powers. The Goddess of knowledge and learning is said to have inventedinvented Sanskrit, the language of the Brahmins, of scriptures and scholars. It is also believed that it was Goddess Saraswati who discovered 'amrit' in the Himalayas and brought it to the other gods. She was said to be identical with VirVirajaj being created out of the substancesubstance of Purusha or Prajapati and thus is the instrument of creation. As 's wife, she provides the power to execute what Brahma conceives with his creative intelligence. She is the goddess of all the creative arts and in particular of poetry and music, learning and science. The Celebration of Saraswati Puja

Saraswati puja is celebrated through out the country. The Goddess of knowledge is revered among the students and learned who strictly follow all ththee rituals to worshipworship her. The festivities that accompany Saraswati puja is a part of the social celebrations. Young girls are seen in yellow saaries. Pushpanjali (offering of flowers along with mantras) are offered. Bright palash flowers are offerd that araree a part of the worship.Young people enjoy the day with each other. Cultural programmes are staged at night. The Goddess who is the patron of music, culture and learning is revered by singers and musicians with great devotion.

Ayudha Puja

The nininthnth day is also the day of the . TheThe AyuAyudhadha Puja is a worship of whatever implements one may use in one's livelihood. On the preceding evening, it is traditional to place these implements on an altar to the Divine. If one can make a conscious efeffortfort toto see the divine in the tools and objects one uses each day, it will help one to see one's work as an offering to God. It will also help one to maintain constant remembrance of the divine. (In it is customary for one to prostrate before the tootoolsls one will use before starting one's work each dayday;; this is an expression of gratitude to God for helping one to fulfil one's duties.)

The penultimate day of the festival is dedicated to what is termed Aayudha Puja. The , on this day, Worship of ararms,ms, ammunitions,ammunitions, weapons, hardware and the software. In substance the weapons to be worshiped are the divine powers in man. When the divine is worshiped in this way, one is bound to progress materially and spiritually.

According to Indian Mythology, after the slaying of Mahishasura and other terrorists by Chamundeswari, there was no more use for her weapons. So the weapons were kept aside and worshiped. This Ayudha puja is being celebrated since time immemorial.

The importance of Ayudha Puja on this occasiooccasionn may also be due to the fact that on the day, Arjuna took back his weapons which he had hidden in a Bani tree in order to lead a life in disguise for the promised period of exile. It is believed that one who begins or renovates his learning to work on the tenth dayday---- Vijayadashami will secure a grand success as Partha did in Kurukshetra warfare.

Be it the plough, be it a vegetable cutter or be it Soorya Kiran Air Craft, the Ayudha Puja is a worship of whatever implements one may use in dayday----totototo----dayday life. On the preceding evening, it is traditional to place these implements on an altar to the Divine. If one can make a conscious effort to see the divine in the tools and objects one uses each day, it will help one to see one's work as an offering tototo God. In India it is customary for one to prostrate before the tools one will use before starting one's work each day; this is an expression of gratitude to God for granting us the tools to fulfill our duties.

Although the nine day festival is observed in homes, offices, workshops and temples, the Ayudha pooja is a widely visible festival as it is manifested on the streets and corridors of buildings. All types of Vehicles including the bicycles will be out in the streets after grand water wash and decorated with flowers and frills. Its a treat to watchwatch drivdriversers going for a jolly ride on their trucks, cars, vans, coaches playing their favorite music, a bit loudly!loudly!....

Sree Saraswati Stotram written by Sage Agastya - Goddess of Learning http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys2vTiXWhB8

Before Starting Your Studies (Sarasvati Namastubhyam) http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=iP6T5rOJYlY

BeautifuBeautifull Maha Saraswati Stotram with Lyrics! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAVsqGsvqgA