Kathmandu, Jan 23: Today is Shree Panchami, also known as Saraswati Puja. The festival is being observed across the country by offering prayers at Saraswati temples.
Shree Panchami is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Magh. On this day, people across the country worship Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and learning. As the festival marks the beginning of the spring season, the day is also popularly known as Basant Panchami.
There is a belief that worshipping Goddess Saraswati on this day enhances wisdom and intellect. As a result, Saraswati temples across the country witness large crowds of devotees. In the Kathmandu Valley, devotees have thronged temples such as Swayambhu, Maitidevi, and Neel Saraswati at Gairidhara, while in Lalitpur, Lele and other districts have also seen a heavy influx of worshippers at Saraswati monasteries and temples.
From early morning, devotees—especially students—have gathered at Saraswati temples in Swayambhu to offer prayers. There is a religious belief that swallowing the seven grains of rice (akshata) offered to Saraswati without chewing them brings knowledge and wisdom, and that the Goddess of Learning bestows the light of consciousness upon the devotee. #nepal #children #education
Photo: newspolar.com at Swayambhu
