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109-475: The principal goddesses worshipped during the Ayudha Puja are Saraswati , the goddess of learning, Lakshmi , the goddess of prosperity, and Parvati , the goddess of power. On this occasion, the implements employed by people of various professions and walks of life are customarily venerated, such as the weapons of a soldier, tools of an artisan, and the books of a student. The religious significance of this occasion

218-415: A citramekhala (also called mayura , peacock ) is shown beside the goddess. The peacock symbolizes colorful splendor, the celebration of dance, and – as the devourer of snakes – the alchemical ability to transmute the serpent poison of self into the radiant plumage of enlightenment . Many different avatars and forms of Sarasvati have been attested in scriptures. She is venerated as MahaSarasvati in

327-464: A pustaka (book or script), a mālā (rosary, garland), a water pot and a musical instrument ( vīnā ). The book she holds symbolizes the Vedas representing the universal, divine, eternal, and true knowledge as well as all forms of learning. A mālā of crystals, representing the power of meditation, inner reflection, and spirituality. A pot of water represents the purifying power to separate right from wrong,

436-517: A swan ( hamsa ). According to the Matsya Purana , Brahma generated Sarasvati, here also called by other names like Shatarupa , Savitri, Gayatri and Brahmani , out of himself for the purpose of creation. The Matsya Purana then describes how Brahma begins to desire her intensely and cannot stop looking at her. Noticing his amorous glances, she begins circumambulating him. Not wishing to keep turning his face to see her, Brahma produced faces on

545-403: A comparable 30 to 40 species. Other countries in tropical Asia also have numerous wild species of Curcuma . Recent studies have also shown that the taxonomy of C. longa is problematic, with only the specimens from South India being identifiable as C. longa . The phylogeny, relationships, intraspecific and interspecific variation, and even identity of other species and cultivars in other parts of

654-556: A cow and a mother, and saw themselves as children sucking the milk of dhī from her. In Book 10 of the Rigveda , she is declared to be the "possessor of knowledge". In later sources, like the Yajur Veda , Sarasvati is directly identified with Vāc, becoming a deity called Sarasvatī-Vāc. In the Brahmanas , Sarasvati-Vac's role expands, becoming clearly identified with knowledge (which is what

763-406: A deep orange-yellow powder commonly used as a coloring and flavoring agent in many Asian cuisines , especially for curries , as well as for the dyeing characteristics imparted by the principal turmeric constituent, curcumin . Turmeric powder has a warm, bitter, black pepper -like flavor and earthy, mustard -like aroma . Curcumin, a bright yellow chemical produced by the turmeric plant,

872-456: A dominant location on the top step of the platform erected specially for the occasion. On the ninth day (Navami day), Saraswati puja is performed when special prayers are offered to the goddess Saraswati. Books and musical instruments are placed in the puja pedestal and worshipped. Tools are placed for the Ayudha puja. Vehicles are washed and decorated, and puja performed for them on this occasion. This

981-497: A furious tirade against Ganga, accusing her of stealing Vishnu's love away from her. When Ganga appealed to her husband to help her, he opted to remain neutral, not wishing to participate in a quarrel between his three wives, whom he loved equally. When Lakshmi attempted to soothe Sarasvati's anger by reasoning with her, the jealous goddess grew angry with her as well, accusing her of disloyalty towards her. She cursed Lakshmi to be born as

1090-713: A golden palanquin to the Bhuvaneshwari temple for veneration. The tradition of the festival is traced to the Vijayanagara Empire (1336 A.D. to 1565 A.D.) when it became a Naada Habba (or people's festival). Raja Wodeyar I (1578–1617) who was viceroy to the Vijayanagara ruler, with his seat of power in Mysore, reintroduced the Vijayanagara practice of celebrating the Navaratri festival, in 1610 A.D. He set rules on how to celebrate

1199-451: A line, adjacent to a wall. On the morning of the puja that is on the Navami day, they are all worshipped along with the images of Saraswati , Lakshmi , and Parvati . Books and musical instruments are also placed on the pedestal for veneration. On the day of the puja, these are not to be disturbed. The day is spent in veneration and contemplation. In Karnataka , the erstwhile Mysore state of

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1308-624: A merchant's tomb in Megiddo, Israel , dating from the second millennium BCE. It was noted as a dye plant in the Assyrians ' Cuneiform medical texts from Ashurbanipal ’s library at Nineveh from 7th century BCE. In Medieval Europe , turmeric was called "Indian saffron ." The name possibly derives from Middle English or Early Modern English as turmeryte or tarmaret . It may be of Latin origin, terra merita ("meritorious earth"). The Latin specific epithet longa means long. Turmeric

1417-442: A metaphor for the pursuit of wisdom amidst the complexities of life, the ability to discriminate between good and evil, truth from untruth, essence from the outward show, and the eternal from the evanescent. Due to her association with the swan, Sarasvati is also referred to as Hamsavāhini , which means "she who has a hamsa as her vehicle". The swan is also a symbolism for spiritual perfection, transcendence and moksha . Sometimes

1526-435: A person. Sarasvati (Sanskrit: Sarasvatī ) is known by many names. Some examples of synonyms for Sarasvati include Sharada (bestower of essence or knowledge), Brahmani (power of Brahma), Brahmi (goddess of sciences), Bharadi (goddess of history), Vani and Vachi (both referring to the flow of music/song, melodious speech, eloquent speaking respectively), Varnesvari (goddess of letters), Kavijihvagravasini (one who dwells on

1635-622: A reference to a river and as a significant deity in the Rigveda . In initial passages, the word refers to the Sarasvati River and is mentioned as one among several northwestern Indian rivers such as the Drishadvati . Sarasvati, then, connotes a river deity. In Book 2, the Rigveda describes Sarasvati as the best of mothers, of rivers, of goddesses. Her importance grows in the later Vedas composed after

1744-653: A river on earth, and that another would later become the spouse of Brahma. In the Rigveda , Sarasvati is primarily depicted as a river goddess, embodying fertility and purity, and is revered as the personification of the Sarasvati River. Her role as the nurturing, life-giving force of the river is celebrated in hymns, where she is described as "the best of mothers, of rivers, and of goddesses." A Rigvedic prayer also describes her as 'the best of mothers, of rivers and of goddesses'. However, as Sarasvati’s association with knowledge, speech, and culture grew in prominence through

1853-473: A sheltering tree in Rigveda 7.95.5, while in 6:49:7 cd she is said to provide "protection which is difficult to assail." In some passages she even takes a fiercesome appearance and is called a "slayer of strangers" who is called on to "guard her devotees against slander". Her association with the combative storm gods called Maruts is related to her fierce fighting aspect and they are said to be her companions (at Rigveda 7:96:2c.). Like Indra, Sarasvati

1962-609: A similar color to be added, such as lead(II,IV) oxide ("red lead"). These additives give turmeric an orange-red color instead of its native gold-yellow, and such conditions led the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue import alerts from 2013 to 2019 on turmeric originating in India and Bangladesh . Imported into the United States in 2014 were approximately 5.4 million kilograms (12 million pounds) of turmeric, some of which

2071-588: A special significance on Navaratri day. Saraswati Puja is performed and books, musical instruments, etc. are worshiped alongside the goddess. People perform a ritual called Simollanghan, crossing boundary of the village and collect leaves of the apta tree. The leaves signify gold. People visit each other's homes in the evening and distribute the gold (leaves) as a mark of love and respect. Royal Navaratri celebrations take place at various places like Kolhapur. Saraswati Saraswati ( Sanskrit : सरस्वती , IAST : Sarasvatī ), also spelled as Sarasvati ,

2180-497: A width of 38 to 45 cm (15 to 17 + 1 ⁄ 2  in) and are oblong to elliptical, narrowing at the tip. At the top of the inflorescence, stem bracts are present on which no flowers occur; these are white to green and sometimes tinged reddish-purple, and the upper ends are tapered. The hermaphrodite flowers are zygomorphic and threefold. The three sepals are 0.8 to 1.2 cm ( 3 ⁄ 8 to 1 ⁄ 2  in) long, fused, and white, and have fluffy hairs;

2289-887: Is Matangi . In some regions of India, such as Vindhya , Odisha , West Bengal and Assam , as well as east Nepal, Sarasvati is part of the Devi Mahatmya Shakta mythology, in the Tridevi of Mahakali , Mahalakshmi and MahaSarasvati. This is one of many different Hindu legends that attempt to explain how the Hindu trimurti of gods (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) and goddesses (Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Parvati) came into being. Various Purana texts offer alternate legends for Maha Sarasvati. Turmeric Curcuma domestica Valeton Turmeric ( / ˈ t ɜːr m ər ɪ k , ˈ tj uː -/ ), ( botanical name Curcuma longa ( / ˈ k ɜːr k j ʊ m ə ˈ l ɒ ŋ ɡ ə / ), )

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2398-549: Is a flowering plant in the ginger family Zingiberaceae . It is a perennial , rhizomatous , herbaceous plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia that requires temperatures between 20 and 30 °C (68 and 86 °F) and high annual rainfall to thrive. Plants are gathered each year for their rhizomes , some for propagation in the following season and some for consumption. The rhizomes are used fresh or boiled in water and dried, after which they are ground into

2507-533: Is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall. It has highly branched, yellow to orange, cylindrical, aromatic rhizomes. The leaves are alternate and arranged in two rows. They are divided into leaf sheath, petiole , and leaf blade. From the leaf sheaths, a false stem is formed. The petiole is 50 to 115 cm (20–45 in) long. The simple leaf blades are usually 76 to 115 cm (30–45 in) long and rarely up to 230 cm (7 ft 7 in). They have

2616-493: Is a Sanskrit fusion word of saras (सरस्) meaning "pooling water", but also sometimes translated as "speech"; and vati (वती), meaning "she who possesses". Originally associated with the river or rivers known as Sarasvati, this combination, therefore, means "she who has ponds, lakes, and pooling water" or occasionally "she who possesses speech". It is also a Sanskrit composite word of sarasu-ati (सरसु+अति) which means "one with plenty of water". The word Sarasvati appears both as

2725-703: Is a key figure in the Indian goddess centered traditions which are today known as Shaktism . Sarasvati appears in the Puranic Devi Mahatmya ( Glory of the Goddess ), a central text for Shaktism which was appended to the Markandeya Purana during the 6th century CE. In this text, she is part of the "triple goddess" ( Tridevi ) along with Mahakali , and Mahalakshmi . In Shaktism, this trinity (the Shakta response to

2834-463: Is a principal ingredient in curry powders. Although typically used in its dried, powdered form, turmeric also is used fresh, like ginger. Turmeric is used widely as a spice in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. Various Iranian khoresh recipes begin with onions caramelized in oil and turmeric. The Moroccan spice mix ras el hanout typically includes turmeric. In South Africa, turmeric

2943-490: Is a traditional Indian recipe. Sold in the US and UK, the drink known as "golden milk" uses nondairy milk and sweetener, and sometimes black pepper after the traditional recipe (which may also use ghee). Turmeric is approved for use as a food color , assigned the code E100 . The oleoresin is used for oil-containing products. In combination with annatto (E160b), turmeric has been used to color numerous food products. Turmeric

3052-551: Is about 60–70% carbohydrates , 6–13% water, 6–8% protein , 5–10% fat , 3–7% dietary minerals , 3–7% essential oils , 2–7% dietary fiber , and 1–6% curcuminoids . The golden yellow color of turmeric is due to curcumin. Phytochemical components of turmeric include diarylheptanoids , a class including numerous curcuminoids, such as curcumin , demethoxycurcumin , and bisdemethoxycurcumin . Curcumin constitutes up to 3.14% of assayed commercial samples of turmeric powder (the average

3161-417: Is also called a slayer of Vritra , the snake like demon of drought who blocks rivers and as such is associated with destruction of enemies and removal of obstacles. The Yajur Veda sees her as being both the mother of Indra (having granted him rebirth through healing) and also as his consort. In Book 2 of Taittiriya Brahmana , Sarasvati is called "the mother of eloquent speech and melodious music". In

3270-431: Is also said to be a manifestation of the supreme Mahadevi. In Tantric Shakta sources, Sarasvati takes many forms. A key tantric form is Matangi , a deity considered to be the "Tantric Sarasvati". Mātaṅgī retains many attributes of Sarasvati, like music and learning, but is also associated with defeating enemies, disease, pollution/impurity, and outcasts ( chandalas ). She is often offered half eaten or leftover food and

3379-550: Is approved as a food additive by the World Health Organization , European Parliament , and United States Food and Drug Administration . Although long used in Ayurvedic medicine, there is no high-quality clinical evidence that consuming turmeric or curcumin is effective for treating any disease. The greatest diversity of Curcuma species by number alone is in India , at around 40 to 45 species. Thailand has

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3488-544: Is associated with wealth, abundance, health, purity and healing. In Book 10 (10.17) of the Rigveda , Sarasvati is celebrated as a deity of healing and purifying water. In the Atharva Veda , her role as a healer and giver of life is also emphasized. In various sources, including the Yajur Veda , she is described as having healed Indra after he drank too much Soma . Sarasvati also governs dhī (Rigveda 1:3:12c.). Dhī

3597-473: Is celebrated by the general public one day before the original festival day Vijayadashami (the Ayudha Puja Day). Another legend is of a pre-battle ritual involving yagna or ritual sacrifice or as part of the Ayudha Puja (considered a sub-rite of Navaratri festival that starts after the rainy season and is propitiated before launching military campaigns). This practice is no more prevalent. The past practice

3706-494: Is communicated through speech) and as such, she is "the mother of the Vedas " as well as the Vedas themselves. The Shatapatha Brahmana states that "as all waters meet in the ocean...so all sciences (vidya) unite (ekayanam) in Vāc" (14:5:4:11). The Shatapatha Brahmana also presents Vāc as a secondary creator deity, having been the first deity created by the creator god Prajapati . She is

3815-642: Is considered by the British Food Standards Agency as an illegal dye for use in foods. Turmeric and curcumin have been studied in numerous clinical trials for various human diseases and conditions, with no high-quality evidence of any anti-disease effect or health benefit. There is no scientific evidence that curcumin reduces inflammation , as of 2020 . There is weak evidence that turmeric extracts may be beneficial for relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis , as well as for reducing pain and muscle damage following physical exercise. There

3924-512: Is followed by the Vijayadashami celebrations at the culmination of the ten-day festivities. In Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated as Ayudha Puja/Shastra Puja, Vijayadashami, Navaratri and Saraswati Puja. All weapons, vehicles, agricultural equipment, machines and metal items are worshipped with leaves of the shami tree (Marathi: आपट्याची पाने/सोने), marigold flowers and the 'dhaan' that is grown during 9 days of Navaratri. Marigold flowers have

4033-427: Is generally shown to have four arms, but sometimes just two. When shown with four hands, those hands symbolically mirror her husband Brahma's four heads, representing manas (mind, sense), buddhi (intellect, reasoning), citta (imagination, creativity), and ahamkāra (self consciousness, ego). Brahma represents the abstract, while she represents action and reality. The four hands hold items with symbolic meaning –

4142-468: Is green in color. Matangi is also part of the Shakta set of goddesses known as the ten Mahavidyas . Matangi is important in Shri Vidya Shaktism, where she is also known as the dark blue Shyamala ("dark in complexion") and is a manifestation of Lalita Tripurasundari 's Jñana Shakti (wisdom power), having arisen out of Lalita's sugarcane bow. She is celebrated in the holiday Syamala Navaratri and

4251-649: Is known in Burmese as Thurathadi ( သူရဿတီ , pronounced [θùja̰ðədì] or [θùɹa̰ðədì] ) or Tipitaka Medaw ( တိပိဋကမယ်တော် , pronounced [tḭpḭtəka̰ mɛ̀dɔ̀] ), in Chinese as Biàncáitiān ( 辯才天 ), in Japanese as Benzaiten ( 弁才天/弁財天 ) and in Thai as Suratsawadi ( สุรัสวดี ) or Saratsawadi ( สรัสวดี ). In Hinduism , Sarasvati has retained her significance as an important goddess, from

4360-573: Is narrated in the Tamil version of Mahabharata epic. In this ritual, prevalent than in Tamil Nadu, ‘Kalapalli’ was a “sacrifice to the battlefield. Duryodhana , the Kaurava chief was advised by astrologer ( Sahadeva ) that the propitious time for performing Kalapalli was on amavasya day (new moon day), one day before the start of Kurukshetra war and Iravan (son of Arjuna), also spelt Aravan, had agreed to be

4469-624: Is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism , revered as the goddess of knowledge, education, learning, arts, speech, poetry, music, purification, language and culture. Together with the goddesses Lakshmi and Parvati , she forms the trinity, known as the Tridevi . Sarasvati is a pan-Indian deity, venerated not only in Hinduism but also in Jainism and Buddhism . She is one of the prominent goddesses in

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4578-426: Is paper steeped in a tincture of turmeric and allowed to dry. It is used in chemical analysis as an indicator for acidity and alkalinity . The paper is yellow in acidic and neutral solutions and turns brown to reddish-brown in alkaline solutions, with transition between pH of 7.4 and 9.2. As turmeric and other spices are commonly sold by weight, the potential exists for powders of toxic, cheaper agents with

4687-1097: Is retained by the consecration of computers, typewriters, and mobile phones in the same manner as practiced in the past for weapons of warfare. In Orissa, tools traditionally used for cultivation like plough, war like sword and dagger, and inscription writing like "karani" or "lekhani" (metal stylus ) are worshipped. It is celebrated in Karnataka (in erstwhile Mysore State) as “Ayudha Puje” (Kannada: ಆಯುಧ ಪೂಜೆ). Tamil Nadu as Ayudha Pujai ( Tamil : ஆயுத பூஜை ), in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as Aayudha Pooja ( Telugu : ఆయుధ పూజ ), in Kerala as Ayudha Puja ( Malayalam : ആയുധ പൂജ ), "Astra Puja" ( Odia : ଅସ୍ତ୍ର ପୂଜା ) or "Ayudha Puja" in Odisha , "Shastra Puja" ( Marathi : आयुध पूजा/ खंडे नवमी ) or "Ayudha Puja/ Khande Navami" in Maharashtra , and in Karnataka (in

4796-410: Is seen as Lalita's prime minister. There are various chants and odes ( stotras ) to this deity, perhaps the most important being the Śrī Śyāmalā Daṇḍakam by the great Indian Sanskrit poet Kalidasa . The goddess Sarasvati is often depicted as a beautiful woman dressed in pure white, often seated on a white lotus , which symbolizes light, knowledge and truth. She not only embodies knowledge but also

4905-461: Is sparsely hairy. The fruit capsule opens with three compartments. In East Asia , the flowering time is usually in August. Terminally on the false stem is an inflorescence stem, 12 to 20 cm ( 4 + 1 ⁄ 2 to 8 in) long, containing many flowers. The bracts are light green and ovate to oblong with a blunt upper end with a length of 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in). Turmeric powder

5014-419: Is the inspired thought (especially that of the rishis ), it is intuition or intelligence – especially that associated with poetry and religion. Sarasvati is seen as a deity that can grant dhī ( Rigveda 6:49:7c.) if prayed to. Since speech requires inspired thought, she is also inextricably linked with speech and with the goddess of speech, Vāc , as well as with cows and motherhood. Vedic seers compare her to

5123-419: Is to commemorate the victory of the goddess Durga over Mahishasura , or the conquest of Lanka by Rama . In South India , the occasion is primarily dedicated to Saraswati, with the practice of educational materials such as books, pens, pencils, musical instruments, and other equipment being venerated, to signify the victory of knowledge over ignorance. In the contemporary era, the tradition of this occasion

5232-531: Is used in some sweet dishes, such as the cake sfouf . In India, turmeric leaf is used to prepare special sweet dishes, patoleo , by layering rice flour and coconut - jaggery mixture on the leaf, then closing and steaming it in a special utensil ( chondrõ ). Most turmeric is used in the form of rhizome powder to impart a golden yellow color. It is used in many products such as canned beverages, baked products, dairy products, ice cream, yogurt, yellow cakes, orange juice, biscuits, popcorn, cereals and sauces. It

5341-507: Is used to give a yellow color to some prepared mustards , canned chicken broths , and other foods—often as a much cheaper replacement for saffron . In 2019, the European Medicines Agency concluded that turmeric herbal teas, or other forms taken by mouth, on the basis of their long-standing traditional use, could be used to relieve mild digestive problems, such as feelings of fullness and flatulence . Turmeric grows wild in

5450-559: Is used to give boiled white rice a golden color, known as geelrys (yellow rice) traditionally served with bobotie . In Vietnamese cuisine , turmeric powder is used to color and enhance the flavors of certain dishes, such as bánh xèo , bánh khọt , and mì Quảng . The staple Cambodian curry paste, kroeung , used in many dishes, including fish amok , typically contains fresh turmeric. In Indonesia , turmeric leaves are used for Minang or Padang curry base of Sumatra , such as rendang , sate padang , and many other varieties. In

5559-570: The Brahmanda Purana (chapter 43). Sarasvati is tasked to reside on tip of the tongue of all beings, a river on the earth and as a part of Brahma. A legend in the Bhagavata Purana describes Sarasvati as originally being one of the three wives of Vishnu , along with Lakshmi and Ganga . In the midst of a conversation, Sarasvati observed that Ganga playfully kept glancing at Vishnu, behind Lakshmi and her back. Frustrated, Sarasvati launched

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5668-548: The Brahmanas , Sarasvati is increasingly identified with the Vedic goddess of speech, Vac , and eventually, the two merge into the singular goddess known in later tradition. Over time, her connection to the river diminishes, while her association with speech, poetry, music, and culture becomes more prominent. In classical and medieval Hinduism , Sarasvati is primarily recognized as the goddess of learning, arts and poetic inspiration, and as

5777-545: The Hindu epic Mahabharata , "Sarasvati appears above all as a sacred river, along which pilgrimages are made. She is also represented as goddess of speech and knowledge." She is called "the best of rivers and greatest of streams", and with calm and tranquil waters, in contrast to the mighty torrential Vedic Sarasvati. Her banks are filled with priests and sages ( rishis ) who practice asceticism and sacrifices on her banks. There are numerous depictions of people making pilgrimages to

5886-600: The Philippines , turmeric is used in the preparation and cooking of kuning , satti , and some variants of adobo . In Thailand , fresh turmeric rhizomes are used widely in many dishes, in particular in the southern Thai cuisine , such as yellow curry and turmeric soup. Turmeric is used in a hot drink called "turmeric latte " or "golden milk" that is made with milk, frequently coconut milk . The turmeric milk drink known as haldī dūdh ( haldī [ हलदी ] means turmeric in Hindi )

5995-461: The Philippines , turmeric was used for food, dyeing textiles, medicine, as well as body painting. It was commonly an important ingredient in various animistic rituals. Kikusawa and Reid (2007) have concluded that *kunij, the oldest reconstructed Proto-Malayo-Polynesian form for "turmeric" in the Austronesian languages, is primarily associated with the importance of its use as a dye. Other members of

6104-419: The Rigveda as well as in the later Brahmana texts, and the word evolves in its meaning from "waters that purify", to "that which purifies", to " vach (speech) that purifies", to "knowledge that purifies", and ultimately into a spiritual concept of a goddess that embodies knowledge, arts, music, melody, muse, language, rhetoric, eloquence, creative work and anything whose flow purifies the essence and self of

6213-470: The Tulasi plant upon the earth. Ganga, now enraged that Lakshmi had been cursed because she had defended her, cursed Sarasvati that she would be incarnated as a river on earth. Sarasvati issued the same curse against Ganga, informing her that sinful men would cleanse themselves of their sins with her water. As a result, Vishnu proclaimed that one part of Sarasvati would remain with him, that another would exist as

6322-565: The Vedic age up to the present day. She is praised in the Vedas as a water goddess of purification, while in the Dharmashastras , Sarasvati is invoked to remind the reader to meditate on virtue, and on the meaning ( artha ) of one's actions ( karma ). Sarasvati first appears in the Rigveda , the most ancient source of the Vedic religion . Sarawsati holds significant religious and symbolic value in

6431-427: The Vedic tradition (1500 to 500 BCE) who retains her significance in later Hinduism. In the Vedas , her characteristics and attributes are closely connected with the Sarasvati River , making her one of the earliest examples of a river goddess in Indian tradition. As a deity associated with a river, Sarasvati is revered for her dual abilities to purify and to nurture fertility. In later Vedic literature, particularly

6540-631: The Kashmir Shakti Peetha, as Vidhya Sarasvati in Basara and Vargal, and as Sharadamba in Sringeri. In some regions, she is known by her twin identities, Savitri and Gayatri . In Shaktism , she takes her Matrika (mother goddess) avatar as Brahmani . Sarasvati is not just the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, but also the Brahmavidya herself, the goddess of the wisdom of ultimate truth. Her Mahavidya form

6649-663: The Maharajas of Mysore, the ancient Navaratri festival started as a family tradition within the precincts of the palace. The royal family performs the Ayudha Pooja as a part of the Navaratri, inside the palace grounds. The rituals observed are first to veneration the weapons on the Mahanavami day (ninth day), followed by “Kushmanda” (pumpkin in Sanskrit)– the tradition of breaking a pumpkin in the palace grounds. After this, weapons are carried in

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6758-553: The Navaratri with devotion and grandeur. After a gala nine days of durbar , the Maharaja performs a puja in a temple in the palace precincts, which is followed by a grand procession through the main thoroughfares of the Mysore city to the Bannimantap on a caparisoned elephant. The Bannimantap is the place where the Maharaja worships the traditional Shami or Banni Tree ( Prosopis spicigera );

6867-432: The Rigveda, as a deified entity embodying attributes of abundance and power. Primarily linked with the celestial domain of Waters (Apas) and the formidable Storm Gods ( Maruts ), this deity forms an integral triadic association alongside the sacrificial goddesses Ila and Bharati within the pantheon. Sarasvati is described as a loud and powerful flood who roars like a bull and cannot be controlled. According to Witzel, she

6976-467: The Vadavagni in a pot to Sarasvati, and told her to originate from the plaksha tree. Sarasvati merged with the tree, and transformed into a river. From there, she flowed towards Pushkara . Sarasvati continued her journey towards the ocean, and stopped once at Pushkarini, where she redeemed humans from their sins. At last, she reached the end of her journey, and immersed the fire into the ocean. Sarasvati

7085-545: The body") is a ceremony observed during wedding celebrations of people of Indian culture all throughout the Indian subcontinent. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh , as a part of the Tamil–Telugu marriage ritual, dried turmeric tuber tied with string is used to create a Thali necklace . In western and coastal India, during weddings of the Marathi and Konkani people , Kannada Brahmins , turmeric tubers are tied with strings by

7194-412: The clean from the unclean, and essence from the inessential. In some texts, the pot of water is symbolism for soma – the drink that liberates and leads to knowledge. The most famous feature on Sarasvati is a musical instrument called a veena , represents all creative arts and sciences, and her holding it symbolizes expressing knowledge that creates harmony. Sarasvati is also associated with anurāga ,

7303-625: The closing day, these are taken back for re-use. In villages in Kerala, the Ayudha puja is observed with great reverence and several martial art forms and folk dances are also performed on that day. In Tamil Nadu , golu is the festival celebrated during the Navaratri period. On this occasion dolls, predominantly that of the deities from Hinduism, are artistically arranged on a seven-stepped wooden platform. Traditionally, 'marapachi' wooden dolls representing Perumal and Thayar are also displayed together at

7412-505: The consort of other gods, such as Vishnu. In various Puranas, rites for her worship are given, and she is mainly worshiped for her command over speech, knowledge, and music. Puranas like the Matsya also contain iconographic descriptions of Sarasvati, which provide the basis for her classic four armed form holding a book (representing the Vedas), mala , veena , and a water pot while being mounted on

7521-410: The couple to their wrists during a ceremony, Kankana Bandhana . In many Hindu communities, turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom as part of pre-wedding festivities known as the haldi ceremony. Turmeric makes a poor fabric dye , as it is not light fast , but is commonly used in Indian clothing, such as saris and Buddhist monks' robes . During the late Edo period (1603–1867), turmeric

7630-567: The creative aspect of the Supreme Goddess . She is also significant in certain Vaishnava traditions, where she serves as one of Vishnu 's consorts and assists him in his divine functions. Despite her associations with these male deities, Sarasvati equally stands apart as an independent goddess in the pantheon, worshipped without a consort. She is portrayed as a serene woman with a radiant white complexion, dressed in white attire, representing

7739-493: The creator deity offered each a boon. The devas pleaded with Brahma to not grant Kumbhakarna his boon. Brahma called upon his consort Sarasvati, and instructed her to utter that which the devas desired. She acquiesced, and when the rakshasa spoke to invoke his boon, she entered his mouth, causing him to say, "To sleep for innumerable years, O Lord of Lords, this is my desire!". She then left his form, causing him to reflect upon his misfortune. Sarasvati remains an important figure in

7848-418: The erstwhile Mysore State ) as “Ayudha Puje” ( Kannada : ಆಯುಧ ಪೂಜೆ ). Two Hindu legends relate to this festival. The popular legend which was also practiced symbolically by the Maharajas of Mysore alludes to one legend. It is said that on Vijayadashami day Arjuna , third of the five Pandava brothers, retrieved his weapons of war from the hole in the shami tree where he had hidden it before proceeding on

7957-478: The events of the Tarakamaya War , the devas deposited their arsenal of weapons at the hermitage of Dadhichi . When they sought the return of these weapons, the sage informed them that he had imbibed all of their power with his penance, and offered his own bones instead, which could serve as the source of new weapons. Despite the objections of the deities, the sage sacrificed himself, and his bones were employed in

8066-433: The experience of the highest reality. Her iconography is typically in white themes from dress to flowers to swan – the colour symbolizing Sattwa Guna or purity, discrimination for true knowledge, insight and wisdom. Her dhyana mantra describes her to be as white as the moon, clad in a white dress, bedecked in white ornaments, radiating with beauty, holding a book and a pen in her hands (the book represents knowledge). She

8175-414: The fire in the western ocean, in order to protect the universe. Sarasvati told Vishnu that she would only agree to assist them if her consort, Brahma , told her to do so. Brahma ordered her to deposit the Vadavagni in the western ocean. Sarasvati agreed, and accompanied by Ganga , she left Brahmaloka, and arrived at Sage Uttanka's ashrama . There, she met Shiva , who had decided to carry Ganga. He gave

8284-453: The first right to perform the Pujas. Generally, the Ayudha puja in villages begins with the sacrifice of sheep and smearing the bullock carts with sheep blood. In Kerala , the festival is called Ayudha Puja or Saraswati Puja as part of the ten-day puja ceremonies, also named as the festival of autumnal equinox that is observed three weeks from the date of the equinox . The practice followed in

8393-522: The forced exile. After completing his vanavasa (exile period) of 13 years, including one year of Agyatavas (living incognito) before embarking on the warpath against the Kauravas he retrieved his weapons. In the Kurukshetra war that ensued, Arjuna was victorious. Pandavas returned on Vijayadashami day and since then it is believed that this day is auspicious to begin any new venture. In Karnataka, Ayudha Puja

8502-553: The forests of South and Southeast Asia, where it is collected for use in classical Indian medicine (Siddha or Ayurveda). In Eastern India, the plant is used as one of the nine components of nabapatrika along with young plantain or banana plant, taro leaves, barley ( jayanti ), wood apple ( bilva ), pomegranate ( darimba ), Saraca indica , manaka ( Arum ), or manakochu , and rice paddy. The Haldi ceremony called gaye holud in Bengal (literally "yellow on

8611-824: The genus Curcuma native to Southeast Asia (like Curcuma zedoaria ) were also used for food and spice, but not as dyes. Turmeric (along with Curcuma zedoaria ) was also spread with the Lapita people of the Austronesian expansion into Oceania . Turmeric can only be propagated with rhizomes, thus its pre-contact distribution into the Pacific Islands can only be via human introduction. The populations in Micronesia , Island Melanesia , and Polynesia (including as far as Hawaii and Easter Island ) use turmeric widely for both food and dye before European contact. In Micronesia , it

8720-438: The goddess herself states that her knowledge and her beauty arise from gifts made in the sacrifice. The Mahabharata also describes her as the daughter of the creator god Brahma. Later she is described as the celestial creative symphony who appeared when Brahma created the universe. In the epic Ramayana , when the rakshasa brothers Ravana , Vibhishana and Kumbhakarna , performed a penance in order to propitiate Brahma,

8829-405: The inner circle is fertile. The dust bag is spurred at its base. All other stamens are converted to staminodes . The outer staminodes are shorter than the labellum . The labellum is yellowish, with a yellow ribbon in its center and it is obovate , with a length from 1.2 to 2.0 cm ( 1 ⁄ 2 to 3 ⁄ 4  in). Three carpels are under a constant, trilobed ovary adherent, which

8938-478: The inventor of the Sanskrit language . She is linked to the creator god Brahma , either as his consort or creation. In this role, she represents his creative power ( Shakti ), giving reality a unique and distinctly human quality. She becomes linked with the dimension of reality characterized by clarity and intellectual order. Within the goddess oriented Shaktism tradition, Sarasvati is a key figure and venerated as

9047-630: The later Hindu texts, her direct connection with the physical river diminished. Despite this, the Puranas sustain Sarasvati's riverine character by incorporating new narratives that preserve her role as a cosmic river in addition to her expanded identity. The story of Sarasvati becoming a river is introduced in the Srishti Khanda of Padma Purana as well as in Skanda Purana . In the Skanda Purana, after

9156-438: The later medieval Puranic literature , where she appears in various myths and stories. Many Puranas relate the myth of her creation by the creator god Brahma and then describe how she became his consort. Sources which describe this myth include Markandeya Purana , Matsya Purana (which contains the most extensive account), Vayu Purana and Brahmanda Purana . Other Puranas give her slightly different roles and see her as

9265-654: The legend of this tree is traced to the Mahabharat legend of Arjuna (where he had hidden his weapons of war). The significance of the Shami tree veneration is to seek blessings of the tree (where Rama is also said to have worshipped) for success in the desired avocations (including war campaigns). This festival is also celebrated with lot of fanfare throughout the state, in all villages. In the rural areas, every village and community observe this festival with fervour but there have been conflicts on several occasions as to which community has

9374-414: The love for and rhythm of music, which represents all emotions and feelings expressed in speech or music. A hamsa – either a swan or a goose – is often shown near her feet. In Hindu mythology , the hamsa is a sacred bird, which if offered a mixture of milk and water, is said to have a unique ability to separate and drink the milk alone, and leave the water behind. This characteristic of the bird serves as

9483-493: The male trimurti of the other Hindu sects) is a manifestation of Mahadevi , the supreme goddess (and the highest deity out of which all deities, male or female, are born), which is also known by other names like Adi Parashakti ("Primordial Supreme Power"). According to the Devi Mahatmya , this supreme goddess is the primordial creator which is supreme formless (nirguna) consciousness (i.e. parabrahman , absolute reality) and

9592-442: The manufacture of new arms by Vishvakarma . The sage's son, Pippalada , upon hearing these events, sought to wreak his vengeance on the devas by performing a penance. A mare emerged from his right thigh, which in turn gave birth to a fiery man, Vadava, who threatened to be the doom of all of creation. Vishnu convinced Vadava that his best course of action would be to swallow the devas one by one, and that he should begin by consuming

9701-429: The national limit. Researchers identified a chain of sources adulterating the turmeric with lead chromate: from farmers to merchants selling low-grade turmeric roots to "polishers" who added lead chromate for yellow color enhancement, to wholesalers for market distribution, all unaware of the potential consequences of lead toxicity. Another common adulterant in turmeric, metanil yellow (also known as acid yellow 36),

9810-551: The patron goddess of knowledge and education. Traditionally, the day is marked by helping young children learn how to write the letters of the alphabet. In Buddhism , she is venerated in many forms, including the East Asian Benzaiten (辯才天, "Eloquence Talent Deity"). In Jainism , Sarasvati is revered as the deity responsible for the dissemination of the Tirthankaras ' teachings and sermons. Traditional Sarasvati

9919-408: The primordial water of creation, which was the foremost of both the devas and the asuras. Vadava wished to be accompanied to the source of these waters by a virgin, and so Sarasvati was dispatched for his purpose, despite her reluctance. She took him to Varuna , the god of the ocean, who then consumed the being. For good measure, Sarasvati transformed into a divine river, flowing with five channels into

10028-713: The quality of sattva (goodness). She has four arms, each holding a symbolic object: a book, a rosary, a water pot, and a musical instrument known as the veena . Beside her is her mount, either a hamsa (white goose or swan) or a peacock. Hindu temples dedicated to Sarasvati can be found worldwide, with one of the earliest known shrines being Sharada Peeth (6th–12th centuries CE) in Kashmir . Sarasvati continues to be widely worshipped across India, particularly on her designated festival day, Vasant Panchami (the fifth day of spring, and also known as Sarasvati Puja and Sarasvati Jayanti in many regions of India), when students honor her as

10137-481: The river to perform sacrifices and bathe in her waters and she often appears in her human form to great seers like Vasishtha . The Mahabharata also commonly presents her as a goddess of knowledge in her own right and sees Vac as merely a feature of hers. She is called the mother of the Vedas in the Shanti Parva Book of the epic. Her beauty is also widely commented on by numerous passages and in one passage,

10246-584: The sea, making the waters sacred. In the Padma Purana, it is stated that there was a terrible battle between the Bhargavas (a group of Brahmanas ) and the Hehayas (a group of Kshatriyas ). From this, an all-consuming fire called Vadavagni was born, which threatened to destroy the whole world. In some versions, a sage named Auva created it. Indra , Vishnu, and the devas visited Sarasvati, requesting her to deposit

10355-411: The sides and back of his head. Sarasvati then leapt into the sky and a fifth face emerged from Brahma, looking upwards. Unable to escape, Sarasvati marries him and they make love for one hundred years. Brahma felt shame and due to his incestuous act, the god loses his ascetic power ( tapas ) and his sons are left to create the world. The birth of Sarasvati from the mind of Brahma is also described in

10464-402: The three calyx teeth are unequal. The three bright-yellow petals are fused into a corolla tube up to 3 cm ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 4  in) long. The three corolla lobes have a length of 1.0 to 1.5 cm ( 3 ⁄ 8 – 5 ⁄ 8  in) and are triangular with soft-spiny upper ends. While the average corolla lobe is larger than the two lateral, only the median stamen of

10573-542: The tongue of poets). Other names include: Ambika, Bharati, Chandrika, Devi, Gomati, Hamsasana, Saudamini, Shvetambara, Subhadra, Vaishnavi, Vasudha, Vidya, Vidyarupa, and Vindhyavasini. In the Tiruvalluva Maalai , a collection of fifty-five Tamil verses praising the Kural literature and its author Valluvar , she is referred to as Nāmagal and is believed to have composed the second verse. Outside Nepal and India, she

10682-446: The tools, machines, vehicles and other devices are then painted or well polished after which they are smeared with turmeric paste, sandalwood paste (in the form of a tilakam (insignia or mark) and kumkumam (vermillion). Then, in the evening, previous to the puja day, they are placed on an earmarked platform and decorated with flowers. In the case of weapons of war, they are also cleaned, bedecked with flowers and tilak and placed in

10791-560: The tridevi are her main saguna ("with form", manifest, incarnated) emanations. MahaSarasvati is said to be creative and active principle (which is Rajasic , energetic and active), while Mahalakshmi is the sustainer ( sattvic , "goodness") and Mahakali is the destroyer ( tamasic , "darkness"). In other influential Shakta texts, such as the Devi Bhagavata Purana and the Devi Upanishad , Sarasvati (along with all Hindu goddesses)

10900-464: The veneration on two days involves the opening day, which is called Pujaveppu (meaning: keeping implements for veneration). The closing day festival is called Pujayeduppu (meaning: taking implements back from veneration). On the Pujaveppu day, all tools, machines, and instruments, including vehicles, musical instruments, stationery and all implements that help one earn the livelihood, are worshipped. On

11009-475: The very instrument by which he created the world, flowing forth from him "like a continuous stream of water" according to the scripture. This is the basis for the Puranic stories about the relationship between Brahma (identified with Prajapati) and Sarasvati (identified with Vāc). In other Rigvedic passages, Sarasvati is praised as a mighty and unconquerable protector deity. She is offered praises and compared to

11118-633: The victim for the sacrifice. But Krishna , the benefactor of Pandavas smelt trouble and he devised a plan to persuade Iravan to be the representative of the Pandavas and also of the Kauravas. Krishna had suggested to Yudhishthira -the eldest of the Pandavas, to sacrifice Aravan to goddess Kali as a part of Ayudha Puja. After this sacrifice, Kali had blessed Pandavas for victory in the Kurukshetra war. The tools and all implements of vocation are first cleaned. All

11227-476: The world still need to be established and validated. Various species currently utilized and sold as "turmeric" in other parts of Asia have been shown to belong to several physically similar taxa, with overlapping local names. Turmeric has been used in Asia for centuries and is a major part of Ayurveda , Siddha medicine , traditional Chinese medicine , Unani , and the animistic rituals of Austronesian peoples . It

11336-405: Was 1.51%); curry powder contains much less (an average of 0.29%). Some 34 essential oils are present in turmeric, among which turmerone , germacrone , atlantone, and zingiberene are major constituents. Turmeric is one of the key ingredients in many Asian dishes, imparting a mustard-like, earthy aroma and pungent, slightly bitter flavor to foods. It is used mostly in savory dishes, but also

11445-507: Was an important trade item in the sawei maritime exchange between Yap and further atolls in the Carolines , where it couldn't grow. In some smaller islands, the dye was extracted from the leaves, since the rhizomes remained too small in sandy soils. It was also carried by the Austronesian migrations to Madagascar . Turmeric was found in Farmana , dating to between 2600 and 2200 BCE, and in

11554-521: Was associated with the Milky Way , indicating that she was seen as descending from heaven to earth. The goddess is mentioned in many Rigvedic hymns, and has three hymns dedicated to her (6:61 exclusively, and 7:95-96 which she shares with her male counterpart, Sarasvant). In Rigveda 2.41.16 she is called: "Best of mothers, the best of rivers, best of goddesses". As part of the Apas (water deities), Sarasvati

11663-469: Was first used as a dye , and then later for its supposed properties in folk medicine . In India, it spread with Hinduism and Buddhism, as the yellow dye is used to color the robes of monks and priests. In Island Southeast Asia , there is linguistic and circumstantial evidence of the ancient use of turmeric among the Austronesian peoples soon after dispersal from Taiwan (starting c.  3000 BCE ), before contact with India. In Indonesia and

11772-539: Was used for food coloring , traditional medicine , or dietary supplement . Lead detection in turmeric products led to recalls across the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom through 2016. Lead chromate , a bright yellow chemical compound, was found as an adulterant of turmeric in Bangladesh, where turmeric is used commonly in foods and the contamination levels were up to 500 times higher than

11881-658: Was used to dilute or substitute more expensive safflower dyestuff in the production of beni itajime shibori . Friedrich Ratzel reported in The History of Mankind during 1896, that in Micronesia, turmeric powder was applied for embellishment of body, clothing, utensils, and ceremonial uses. Native Hawaiians who introduced it to Hawaii ( Hawaiian : ʻōlena ) make a bright yellow dye out of it. Turmeric paper, also called curcuma paper or in German literature, Curcumapapier ,

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