Saraswati Pooja is one of the important puja performed during Durga Navratri, which is also called Sharada Navratri. Sharada is the synonym or another name for Goddess Saraswathi. Sharada Navratri means the nine divine nights dedicated to Durga who is worshipped during Sharad ruthu (September – October).
Saraswathi Pooja falls during the most auspicious days in Durga Navratri – Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami. On Vijaya Dashami day, Saraswathi Visarjan is performed.
Saraswati Pooja begins on the Moola nakshatram (star constellation) day and ends on the Shravana nakshatra day. There is a Sanskrit line about the puja dates or days:
Moole Navahaye deveem Shravanena Visarjayeth
Generally, during Durga Navratri, Moola nakshatra day falls on Maha Saptami and Shravana nakshatram day falls on Vijaya Dashami. Saraswati pooja is observed as Saraswati Devi Triratra vratam in Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Karnataka.
In Maharashtra and some parts of Gujarat, Saraswati Pooja is performed for three days starting from Maha Saptami.
Saraswati Pooja during Sharada Navratri is a breath taking event in Gnana Saraswathi Devi Devasthanam at Basara in Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh and Shringeri Sharada Peetham at Shringeri of Karnataka.