During the dasara 'saranavaraatri' festivies 'sahshti' of the month of 'aaSvayuja' Mother Durga is decorated in the form of 'Sri Sri Saraswati Devi'. Sri Saraswati Devi is the goddess of wisdom, providing the world with her wisdom and knowledge and leading them to the path of enlightinment. The second one in the sakti trinity is viewed as:







chintaamaNi j~naana neela GhaTakiNyamtarikshatah
mahatpuurvaaScha saktaivaassarasvatyah prakiirtitah

Chintaamani Saraswati, Jnaana Saraswati, Neela Saraswati, Ghata Saraswati, Kini Saraswati, Amtariksha Saraswati and Maha Saraswati. These are the Seven forms of Saraswati as referred in the 'Meru Tamtram'. The reason for decorating Mother Durga in this form in the temple abode the 'Indrakeelaadri' in Vijayawada is because being one of the Sakti trinity Mother Saraswati slayed the demons 'Sumbha'and 'Nisumbhu'. This decoration of Mother Saraswati has gained much reputation among all the decorations as today is the day of 'Mulanakshatra' the star under which the Goddess took birth. Hence lakhs of people come to see her during this time, and recieve her blessings. We too should join these devotees in offering our obeisance and reciet the following chant:

sarasvati namastubhyam varadae kaamaruupiNi
vidyaarambham karishyaami siddhidbavatumae sadaa,
padmapatra viSaalaakshee padma kaesaravarNinee
nityam padmaalayaa daevee saamaam paatu sarasvatee.
oam Srii Saraswatiidaevataayai namah