Saraswati Puja, an occasion to worship the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, was observed today across the country with much fanfare.

Students, teachers, musicians, artists, researchers, beginners and all who lve knowlege and wisdom worshiped Goddess Saraswati on the day of the puja.The Hindu festival is widely known as Shree Panchami.Parents and guardians started teaching letters and numbers to their children today.

Many others enrolled their wards in school, with the belief that it is an auspicious day.Educational institutions worshiped Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, on school premises.

Devotees and students thronged Saraswati and Manjushree temples and schools wishing to be blessed and for prayers.They visited Mahamanjushree Saraswati temples at Sudal and Duwakot in Bhaktapur.

Other Saraswati temples in the the Kathmandu Valley and across the country too saw worshipers in droves since morning today.

Buddhists visited monasteries and stupas to worship Buddha, teacher of knowledge, wisdom and peace.

According to the Hindu calendar, the Shreepanchami also signifies the end of the winter season and beginning of spring, and is also called Basanta Panchami.

source: The Himalayan Times, 29 Jan 2012