Kathmandu, February 16
President Bidya Devi Bhandari attended the Basanta Shrawan ritual on the occasion of Basanta Panchami, also known as Shree Panchami, at Nasal Chok in Hanumandhoka Durbar Square of Kathmandu this morning.
The Basanta Shrawan ritual took place at the auspicious hour of 10:17 am.
On the occasion, President Bhandari also received tika, mala and prasad from the main priest of Hanumandhoka Durbar Caretaker Office.
Marking the function, a contingent of the Nepal Army presented a guard of honour while also playing the mangal dhun.
Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and House of Representatives Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota also attended the Basanta Shrawan ritual and received tika, mala and prasad on the occasion.
Meanwhile, schools and academic institutions across the country also organised different functions to worship Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom.
Devotees also thronged Saraswati temples across Nepal to pay homage to the goddess. Customarily, families made their children start learning alphabets from this holy day.
