SRIYANTRA

To denote the fact that She is not limited by human form, She is also worshipped as the Sriyantra, the mystic diagram described in the Bhavana Upanishad, and is identified with Kamala and Lalita Tripurasundari, the Supreme Goddesses of Srividya. Hence, She is also called Sarada Parameswari, and the Lalita Sahasranamam and the Lalita Trisati are recited in the daily worship in the Saradamba temple.  

Navaratri

The Sarada Navaratri festival is specially devoted to the Mother Goddess throughout India. She is worshiped as Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvati. The festival occurs in the beginning of the autumn season (Sarad ritu) and is therefore special for Goddess Sarada. The main mythological significance of Navaratri is the victory of the Goddess over the bull-demon, Mahishasura. The celebration of Mahishasuramardini's worship is done along with the worship of Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity and well-being, and Sarasvati, the Goddess of learning. The ninth day of Navaratri is devoted to Sarasvati Puja, and therefore has special significance for the worship of Saradamba at Sringeri. In Navaratri darbar To signify Her identity with all the Forms of the Goddess, Saradamba is decorated in nine different ways, with nine different vahanas on each of the nine days of Navaratri. Thus, She is worshipped as Parasakti, Sri, Sarasvati, Brahmani, Mahesvari, Kaumari, Varahi, Vaishnavi, Indrani and Chamundi, each with Her specific vahana. 

The Goddess is the source of all power, both secular and sacred. Throughout India's history, kings and emperors have acknowledged this in their royal celebrations of Navaratri. She is propitiated as Durga, to ensure success in war, as Lakshmi, to bestow prosperity on the kingdom, and as Sarasvati, to bless the kingdom with learned scholars as ministers, judges and administrators. All these features of the Goddess are included in Goddess Saradamba of Sringeri. The royal aspect of the Navaratri celebrations is also seen in Sringeri, when the Acharyas actually don regal dress, with shawls and crowns on top of their simple ochre robes, when they greet the public for darshan.

This tradition dates back to the beginning of the Vijayanagar empire, which was founded with the blessings of Swami Vidyaranya of Sringeri. After his coronation, King Harihara I, the first emperor of Vijayanagar, gifted his entire empire to Swami Vidyaranya, who then returned it to the king. The king therefore desired that the gurus of Sringeri assent to holding court at Sringeri during the Navaratri festival, to symbolize the divinely inspired source of the accomplishments of the Vijayanagar empire. He presented the Matha with regal attire, crowns, thrones and palanquins. These are preserved at Sringeri, and as a token of commemorating this historical event, the Sankaracharyas wear the royal shawls and crowns during the Navaratri festival and when they take over charge at the Matha.