Shree Panchami Observed Across the Country

Kathmandu, January 23: Shree Panchami, dedicated to the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, is being celebrated across the country today with formal worship and prayers. It is a traditional belief that worshipping Saraswati on Basant Panchami enhances knowledge and wisdom. 

Today, crowds of devotees gather at Saraswati temples nationwide to offer prayers. There is a custom of initiating the education of young children who have not yet started school on this very day. It is religiously believed that teaching children to read and write today leads to great academic success.

Devotees address Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge depicted with a fair complexion like the moon and holding a Veena and a book, by names such as Bharati, Sharada, Hansawahini, Jaganmata, Vagishwari, Kaumari, Varadayini, Buddhidatri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, and Bhubaneshwari. Being the goddess of wisdom and creation, writers, artists, journalists, teachers, and students especially worship their tools of trade—such as pens, notebooks, brushes, and musical instruments—as forms of Saraswati. Meanwhile, Tantriks worship her as Tara Devi for the attainment of Tantric powers.

This day is also called 'Basanta Panchami' with the belief that the sun moves northward, days become longer, and the spring season begins. Saraswati Puja holds great significance because it is believed that the worship of Brahmayani, the consort of Brahma who gained fame as Vagdevi in the Rigveda, grants all types of knowledge, success, and right-thinking. The Gandharva Purana mentions that beginning education by worshipping Saraswati on this day leads to universal success.

It is believed that one does not need to consult an astrological calendar for auspicious timings to perform social and religious activities like weddings, Bratabandha, Gufa, and Bel-bibah (Ihi) on this day. However, this year, these auspicious ceremonies are not being performed due to the setting of Venus. On this day, children are initiated into education, and their noses and ears are pierced.

Since early morning, crowds of devotees, especially students, have been gathering at temples such as Nil Saraswati in Swayambhu, Maitidevi, and Gairidhara in the Valley, as well as Lele in Lalitpur and other Saraswati temples in various districts. There is a religious belief that swallowing seven grains of consecrated rice offered to Saraswati without touching them with the teeth awakens wisdom and provides the light of consciousness from the goddess of knowledge.

Basanta Shrawan

On this occasion, there is a tradition for the Head of State to listen to the Basant Shrawan at Nasal Chowk in Hanumandhoka Durbar. Laxman Panthi, the Executive Director of the Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee, informed RSS that the auspicious time for President Ram Chandra Paudel to attend the Basant Shrawan has been set for Friday morning at 10:27 AM.

The Hanumandhoka Durbar Caretaker Office stated that the Vice President, Prime Minister, ministers, the Chairperson and members of the National Assembly, heads and members of constitutional bodies, and members of the provincial assembly will be present during the Basanta Shrawan. The office added that all preparations for the Basant Shrawan have been completed.