His Majesty the King graced the ritual of the Basanta Shrawan ceremony amidst a special function Friday morning at the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace on the occasion of Basanta Panchami popularly known as Saraswoti Puja.

His Majesty the King Gyanendra (File photo)

His Majesty the King Gyanendra (File photo)
Bada Guruju and Chief Priest offered ‘tika and prasad’ to His Majesty the King on the occasion.

Chief Justice, vice chairman of the council of Ministers Kriti Nidhi Bista, Ministers, and senior royal palace officials were present on the occasion.

People celebrated this festival across the kingdom by offering prayer to Saraswati, the Goddess of learning.

On the occasion, devotees honour the deities of knowledge and learning. Hindus honor goddess Saraswati and the Buddhists god Manjushree.

On the occasion of the holy day, a huge number of devotees were seen gathered at Nil Saraswatisthan Lazimpat, Manjushree of Swyambhu and Lele of Lalitpur waiting for their turn to offer their prayers to the goddess.

This is a day when people from schools, students to scholars worship their pens and books and artists worship their instruments to please the Goddess and expect her favor in their studies so they become wise and knowledgeable.

Basanta Panchami announces the advent of spring, with official ceremonies organized at Hanuman Dhoka Square.

This day is regarded as a very auspicious day for marriages too as it is believed that Goddess Saraswati herself blesses the couples.