Saraswathi-Goddess of Wisdom

Saraswathi literally means "one who gives the essence (sara) of our own Self (swa)
She is considered as the personification of all knowledge - arts, sciences, crafts and all skills.

Saraswathi is the goddess of light who dispels our ignorance and inner darkness through her grace.
Even gods worship her for developing proficiency in different fields.
She is addressed with different names by her devotees. Sarada (giver of essence), Vagesvari (controller of speech), Bharathi, Kalavathi, Brahmi (consort of Brahma) and Veenadhari (holder of the Veena) are some of her most popular names.

Saraswathi is the goddess of learning.
She is extolled in the Vedas as the sacred river with seven sisters, who helps the gods by destroying their foes.
The early Vedic Aryans worshipped not the Ganges, but the Saraswathi river, which is mentioned several times in the Rigveda, while there is no specific reference to the river Ganges.
Saraswathi river used to flow in western India through what is now the Thar desert. It dried up eventually with changes in the climate.

Saraswathi actually means "the one who flows".
Saraswathi is a river of knowledge that flows in the highest heavens of Brahma and descends into our minds through the doors of learning to become established in us through self effort.
She is worshipped by all students. Saraswathi grants wisdom, knowledge, creativity and intuition for the flowering of our minds and refinement of our character. Saraswathi is vagdevi, speech personified. Speech is central to our lives and activities on earth.
It also distinguishes us from rest of the animal kingdom. Speech was also at the root of all Sanskrit mantras and religious activity. One can therefore understand the importance of this divinity in Hindu pantheon.

She is generally depicted as a beautiful and graceful goddess in spotless white clothes, seated on a lotus seat, holding a Veena on her lap or in her hand, with a beautiful peacock or a swan wandering near by. probably enjoying the celestial music coming from her.
In her images, she is shown with four hands, holding a Veena, a book, a rosary and lotus respectively.
These objects sometimes vary, but they generally symbolize her connection with learning and knowledge. Her vehicle is generally either a swan or a peacock. The swan symbolizes beauty, grace and wisdom, while the peacock symbolizes the same in addition to its ability to deal with desires and ignorance (snakes)

Saraswathi Puja
50 Divine Thoughts
Songs on Lakshmi & Saraswathi