Saraswati

Goddess of Knowledge & Arts

Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, and vidya. Every Telugu student prays to her before exams and on Vasant Panchami.

• Sanskrit/Telugu name: సరస్వతి
• Also known as: Vani, Sharada, Vagdevi
• Vehicle (vahana): Hamsa (హంస)
• Symbols: Veena, Pustakam, Japamala, White sari

Story

Saraswati Devi is the embodiment of all vidya - from sacred texts to sangeetam to the sciences. She sits on a white padmam wearing a white sari, symbolizing sattva and shuddhi. She holds a veena (representing sangeetam and kala), a pustakam (the Vedas), and a japamala (dhyanam). In Telugu homes, children are taught to place their books near Saraswati's photo and never step on books or pens - because they contain her shakti. The aksharabhyasam ceremony (teaching a child to write for the first time) is done in her name. On Vasant Panchami and during Navaratri's last three days, she is worshipped with special pujas across Andhra and Telangana.

Fun fact

In Telugu culture, it's considered disrespectful to keep books on the floor because Saraswati Devi resides in them. Many families do Saraswati Puja on their notebooks and textbooks during Navaratri.