During the final days of Sharad Navratri, Saraswati Puja—also called Vidhyarambham, Ayudha Puja, or Saraswati Archana—is a major celebration, particularly in South Indian customs. Students, artists, and professionals all honor the day, which is spiritually and culturally dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, creativity, and music.
Saraswati Puja will be on Tuesday, 30th September, 2025 and it coincides with Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) in most parts of the world.
Saraswati Puja 2025 -Day and Tithi
- Date: Tuesday, 30th September 2025
- Dashami Tithi Begins: 29 th September, 2.02 PM.
- Dashami Tithi Views: 30th September 3:16 PM.
- Recommended Puja (Time): Morning to early afternoon on 30 th September (prior to Dashami ceasing)
What Is the significance of Saraswati Puja?
- Concludes the Saraswati Utsav that starts with Saraswati Avahan on Maha Navami.
- Veneration of books, equipment, musical instruments, study materials as deities.
- A festival to celebrate Goddess Saraswati of knowledge, clarity, academic excellence and creative genius.
Famous as Vidhyarambham, and when children receive their initial exposure to learning.
The most important Saraswati Puja Rituals.
1. Altar Setup
- Provide a mounted picture or idol of Saraswati Devi.
- Have books, pens, instruments or tools at the altar.
- Dress in white or yellow flowers, and light a ghee diya, but with clean white cloth.
2. Chanting and Mantras
Recite:
- Ya Kundendu Tusharahara Dhavala...
- Saraswati Ashtottara/ Saraswati Stotram.
- Saraswati Gayatri: “Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah.
3. Offerings and Naivedyam
- Serve coconut, banana, jaggery, white rice, turmeric, kumkum and betel leaves.
- Do aarti with family, dhoop and camphor lights.
No-Touch Tradition
- The books, instruments, or tools stored to Saraswati Puja are:
- Nothing marked or used until this Puja is done, which is Saraswati Avahan (Maha Navami).
It is believed that the Goddess has blessed the first use after the puja in leading to success in the future.
You may also read:- Navratri in Gujarat: Villages and Community Spirit
Benefits of Observing Saraswati Puja
- Appeals to the divine learning, concentration and memory.
- Promotes innovation, critical thinking and spirituality.
- Perfect with students, educators, authors and musicians, and researchers.
- Removes clear thinking, ego, and links intellect with divinity.
- Helps to achieve good starts in education or career.
Puja of Saraswati in a Modern Home.
Although you are busy in life, you can still observe Saraswati Puja with piety:
- Prepare a domestic shrine with a picture of deity Saraswati.
- Bring your laptop, books or any other creative devices before the altar.
- Make a small aarti, recite several mantras in Saraswati and snack naivedyam.
- Children should be invited to join by setting a diya on fire or singing Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah.
- Spend the day either reading or thinking or learning anything new.
The Vidyarambham Ritual: A Beautiful Beginning
It is my most preferred part of Vidyarambham: The origin of knowledge. There will be a beautiful sight in the state on the morning of Vijayadashami. Young children aged between 2 and 5 years old are brought to temples or community halls by their parents who are dressed in traditional clothes.
An older one, a priest, or even a famous writer takes the hand of the child there. They both follow the holy mantra Om Hari Sri Ganapataye Namah, in a bed of raw rice or sand. In other cases, the tongue of the child is traced with the same mantra by a gold ring. It is the first letter ceremony that the child is exposed to. It is an effective initial experience that sets the foundation of their life learning process. I recall that I assisted my niece in writing the first Om letters, the expressions were invaluable!
Vidyarambham – Initiating Children into Learning
- On this day, children are exposed to writing at a tender age.
- Conventional practice:Write a plate or slate with rice ‘Om’ or Sri.
- Elder or Vadhyar puts the hand of the child by chanting Saraswati mantras.
- Music, arts or formal education Starting with ideal muhurat.
Regional Celebrations Across India
- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka: Observed as Ayudha Puja and Navratri Golu festival.
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Saraswati Alankarana and cultural rituals are included.
- West Bengal: Saraswati Puja takes place during Vasant Panchami, yet Dashami admires everything that resembles Devi.
- Maharashtra and Gujarat: Books and equipments are worshiped and Dussehra festivals are celebrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the most popular day of Kerala Navratri?
Vijayadashami, the 10th day is considered the most significant day, and it is during this day that Vidyarambham is conducted.
2. When is Vidyarambham conducted to children?
It is usually done on children who are between the age of 2 and 5 years of age; that is when they are ready to start their formal education.
3. Is it possible to have Navratri rituals at home?
Absolutely! Most of the families conduct Saraswati Puja and even a simple version of Vidyarambham at home. The key is devotion. You can create the little altar, put your books and your tools and pray.
4. Why do not we touch tools and books when we perform Ayudha Puja?
This custom is an honorable sign. It means that these are not just material things but are being sacrificialized in the blessings of the goddess. It is also important to have a pause of using them to enable us to realize the significance of them in our lives.
5. Would you call Navratri a Kerala public holiday?
Though not every one of the nine days is a holiday, it is usually a holiday and particularly to school going children as it is also one of the days when everyone celebrates and especially the schools.
