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Shree Panchami (Saraswati Puja)
This day is celebrated as the birthday of Saraswati, the Goddess of
Learning, She is the lily-white daughter of Shiva and Durga in spotless
white robes and seated in a full-blown lotus. Her carrier is a
snow-white swan. Her brother Ganesh, the elephant God, is invariably
close at her side, and he receives animal sacrifices in her stead. In
her hands Saraswati holds a book, a vina harp, and sometimes a great
sword because of which many believe that she and Manjushri are one and
the same.
Shri panchami brings people of all castes, ages
and creeds together to the temples of Divinity, especially to the idol
behind Swayambhunath.The image is inundated with gifts, sweets, fruits,
flowers in the hope of gaining Saraswati's favor. As she rules over the
realm of speech, letters, arts and sciences, students, scholars,
writers, poets, artists, musicians and also spinners and weavers
lavishly fete her. All her tools like pens, books, ink, etc. are also
worshipped. According to popular belief, if a person swallows seven
rice grains, which are offered to the Goddess, he/she will become wise
and knowledgeable. So, students and children clamor for the rice grains
strewn around the idol.
This is also the day when children
of 5 to 7 are taught their first alphabet, which is repeated after the
parent or teacher and traced on wooden slabs. And around the city
numerous wedding processions followed by musicians and relatives can be
seen, as this day is the most auspicious and popular day in the year
for marriages, when the union is blessed by the Goddess Saraswati
herself.
This day also coincides with the advent of spring.
The ancient royal palace at Basantapur was first inaugurated in
Kathmandu on Basant Panchami day with rites still officially
commemorated at Hanuman Dhoka by the mid-morning gathering of hundreds
of government officials, in formal attire and military officers laden
with ribbons and medals. The King arrives in a motorcade, escorted by
mounted cavalry officers and military band. Inside the old palace they
all stand to attention through the strains of the traditional Song of
spring. Then the season is inaugurated with gun salutes, while the
royal priest conducts elaborate ceremonies in the honor of Goddess
Saraswati.
Article by Vani Shah
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