Jan 22, 2018
President Bidya Devi Bhandari attended the Basanta Shrawan ritual at the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square Assumptions this morning.
On the occasion, the President listened to a distinctive melody, Basanta, in the auspicious hour of 11:17 am and received tika and prasad. The President was offered with all the tika, garland and auspicious offerings by the Chief Priest at the Hanumandhoka Management Office, Dev Raj Aryal.
A contingent of the Nepalese Army introduced a guard of honor to the Head of the State on the event. The ritual has been observed each year on the occasion of Basanta Panchami. The festival is also celebrated as the Shree Panchami or Saraswati Puja, offering prayers to Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge.
Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Chief Justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli, ministers, chiefs of bodies and chiefs of safety bodies also attended the ritual.
Likewise, Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City and high-ranking officials of Department of Archeology were also present on the occasion. There is a tradition that the Head of the State and of the Government and large officials attending the Basanta Shrawan ritual every year.
The ritual has its roots 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 coming of the spring period. It’s believed that the spring period starts on this particular day.
A high number of devotees especially students have thronged Saraswati temples at several districts throughout the nation including Swoyambhu, Maitidevi, Gairidhara of Kathmandu valley to worship Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge.
