Worship of Goddess of knowledge; students seek blessings

Saraswati Puja within Sharad Navratri is the principal day of the four-day worship of the Goddess of learning, performed when the Moon is in Purva Ashadha nakshatra, the day after her invocation on Moola. The books, pens, instruments and tools consecrated at the Avahan are worshipped in full: the Goddess is offered white and yellow flowers, sandal, turmeric, fruits and sweets, and her image is adorned with white silk. Saraswati embodies vak (speech), vidya (knowledge) and kala (the arts); the Rig Veda praises her as the river of inspiration who purifies and awakens understanding. Students pray for concentration and success, musicians for mastery, and writers for the right word. The day is distinct from Vasant Panchami, the spring Saraswati Puja of Bengal and North India; in South India and Maharashtra this Navratri worship is the greater observance, flowing into Ayudha Puja on Navami and Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami. Many homes also arrange the Navratri golu or Bommai Kolu, and it is traditional not to study on this day but to leave the books resting in the Goddess's care.

Students sometimes fast until the puja; a satvik diet is kept.