Hindus in Nepal celebrate Basant Panchami

Hindus in Nepal today celebrated Basant Panchami by worshiping the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, with President Bidya Devi Bhandari attending the traditional ritual at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square.
People across the country thronged Saraswati temples to offer prayers. In Kathmandu, devotees visited Swoyambhunath Temple in the outskirt of the city.
On the occasion, the President listened to a special melody 'Basanta' at the auspicious hour of 11:35 am and received tika and prasad.
A contingent of the Nepalese Army presented a guard of honour to the Head of the State on the occasion.
The ritual is observed every year during the festival, which marks the beginning of the spring season.

Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' also attended the ritual and took tika and prasad.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi, ministers, the heads of constitutional bodies, special class high-ranking government officials and the chiefs of the security bodies.
There is a tradition that the Head of the State and of the Government along with high officials attend the 'Basanta Shrawan' ritual every year.
The ritual has its origins in the Srimad Bhagawat Mahapurana which mentions about a particular episode in the life of the Hindu god Krishna in which Radha and her friends sing hymns in praise of lord Krishna heralding the arrival of the spring season.

It is believed that the spring season begins from this day.
At the Basanta Shrawan ritual, the Main Priest Aryal read out 12 hymns highlighting the significance of the Basant Panchami day and festival.