Hindu Festivals No 27.

[Guest guest]

Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

 

27. Shree Panchami.

(Magha sukla panchami)

 

This day is celebrated as the birthday of Saraswathi, 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

Ganesha, the elephant God, is invariably close at her side, and he receives

animal sacrifices in her stead. In her hands Saraswathi holds a book, a veena,

and sometimes a great sword because of which many believe that she and

Manjushree are one and the same.

 

Shree 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 Saraswathi

blessings. 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 the age group 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

Saraswathi 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 Saraswathi.

(A collection)

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry.

 

 

 

 

 

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