Saraswathi pooja celebrations

It's festival season across India , its the time of the year when you find it a nightmare to step into one of those popular shopping places , its time for sweets sweets and more sweets, its time to refurbish your wardrobe with party wears and ethnic wears to enjoy the festive season in style .. This is one season I love the most for it involves meeting a lot of friends and relatives and ofcourse retail therapy!!!

One of the main festivals celebrated down south in Tamil Nadu is Saraswathi Pooja/ Vijayadasmi , its the festival to thank goddess saraswathi for the knowledge and wealth you ve been blessed with . It's one day when parents ask their kids not to study as the books are kept for pooja , I loved this day as a kid ;)

All things used in day to day life are given a break from their regular routine , they are cleaned and decorated with flowers , sandal wood paste and kum kum (this is specially done for the vehicles)

Saraswathi Pooja - Updated with pics

Saraswathi Pooja / Ayoudah pooja is a hindu festival celebrated in all parts of India. It is an auspicious day when students offer their books to goddess Saraswathi , who bestows them with knowledge and wisdom. She is known as the godess of learning. It is one happy day for children as they don' have to study at all :)

All the schools/Offices/Universities remain close on this day to celecrate this festival. In offices no machines or computers will be used normally (jus' like books in the cases of children) . All equipments are cleaned and will be kept neatley.

After the poojas are carried out the machines are left to rest for the day,following which the prasadams consisting of puffed rice, fruits , sweets made of jaggery and "sundal" (boiled lentils) are distributed among everyone.

The day following Saraswathi pooja is Vijayadasmi, is considered auspicious to start any new thing that day. So, certain school also enroll students in the primary classes on that day.

I usually went to my mom's office during Saraswathi pooja when I was a kid , as there was a lot of events happening. It is also a day to thank the people who have helped you on your studies/career . So, tomorrow morning I got to get up early to celebrate Saraswathi pooja .Will post the pics tomorrow :)

Here are a few pics of the celebrations at home..

At the flower bazaar, shopping for garlands...

Sweets to celebrate the occasion :) ..Yum!!

Entrance of my home decorated with garland




The Kolam I made at the entrance of our house..

During the pooja..

Books and fruits being offered..

Traditional South Indian meal




Have a great weekend everyone!