Kathmandu, January 23: Shreepanchami, celebrated every year on the fifth day of the lunar bright fortnight of the month of Magh, is being observed across the country today with ritual worship and devotion to Goddess Saraswati, the presiding deity of knowledge.
It is believed that worshipping Saraswati on the day of Basanta Panchami increases knowledge and wisdom. Devotees gather in large numbers at Saraswati temples throughout the country to offer prayers. It is customary to begin the education of young children who have not yet been sent to school on this day. There is a religious belief that children who start learning to read and write today will attain good education.
The fair-complexioned Goddess Saraswati, who holds a Veena (musical instrument) and a book in her hands, is worshipped by devotees under various names such as Bharati, Sharada, Hansavahini, Jaganmata, Vageshwari, Kaumari, Varadayini, Buddhidatri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, and Bhuvaneshwari.
As the goddess of knowledge and creativity, writers, artists, journalists, teachers, and students in particular worship their tools of practice—such as pens, notebooks, brushes, and musical instruments—as forms of Saraswati. Tantric practitioners, meanwhile, worship her in the form of Goddess Tara to attain tantric powers.
Because it is believed that the sun begins its northward journey, days start to grow longer, and the spring season begins on this day, it is also called “Basanta Panchami.” Saraswati worship holds great importance, as worship of Brahmayani—the consort of Lord Brahma, known in the Rigveda as Vag Devi—is believed to grant all kinds of knowledge, spiritual attainment, and wisdom. The Gandharva Purana mentions that beginning one’s education after worshipping Saraswati on this day brings complete success.
It is believed that there is no need to consult an auspicious time to perform social and religious rites such as entering in a newly constructed house, marriages, Bratabandha (sacred thread ceremony), Gufa (a coming-of-age ritual for girls), and Bel Bibaha (Ihi) on this day. However, these auspicious rites are not being performed this year as Venus is in its inauspicious setting phase. On this day, children are also initiated into education and have their noses and ears pierced.
From early morning, large crowds of devotees—especially students—throng Saraswati temples in the Kathmandu Valley, including Swayambhu, Maitidevi, and Nilsaraswati in Gairidhara, as well as in Lele of Lalitpur and other districts. There is a religious belief that if the seven grains of sacred rice offered to Saraswati are swallowed without touching the teeth, knowledge and wisdom will blossom and one will receive the light of consciousness from the goddess of learning.
On this occasion, it is customary for the Head of State to listen to the “Basanta Shravan” ceremony at Nasal Chowk of Hanumandhoka Durbar.
People’s News Monitoring Service.
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