Sarashowati Puja
Saraswoti puja is the worship of the goddess Saraswoti, Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of learning, wisdom, knowledge, fine arts, refinement, science and technology. This day is also called as Vasant or Basanta Panchami. It is also called as Shree Panchami. Basant means spring and Panchami means the fifth day. Hence, Basant panchami falls on the fifth day of spring.On this day people worship Goddess Saraswati to attain enlightenment through Knowledge and to rid themselves of lethargy, sluggishness and ignorance.
It is considered that it is the day the winter ends and spring starts. Hence, it is believed that it marks the start of spring season.
This day is believed to be very auspicious people get married, start new business and new venture in this day. In Kathmandu valley there are 3 temples of Goddess Saraswoti. They are in Lele, Swyambhu and Nil Saraswoti temple in Gairidhara. Devotees in Kathmandu valley visit these temples from early morning to late in the evening during the holy day.
On this day parents make their children to write first letter in this day. Students worship their books, copies, pens etc. Similarly, musicians worship instruments, professional worshops their tools and macineries.
Saraswati Vandana
या कुंदेंदु तुषारहार धवला, या शुभ्र वस्त्रावृता |या वीणावर दण्डमंडितकरा, या श्वेतपद्मासना ||
या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभ्रृतिभिर्देवै: सदा वन्दिता |
सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती नि:शेष्य जाड्यापहा ||
Meaning of vandana in English:
Oh Goddess Saraswati , fair as flower of jasmine or moon or a snow flake, Whose hands are adorned by veena who is seated in a white lotus, in white dress, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar always pray and worship whom, Please protect us, from all the evils.
Saraswati Sloka
सरस्वती मया दृष्टा वीणापुस्तकधारिणीहंसवाहनसंयुक्ता विद्यादानं करोतु मे
प्रथमं भारती नाम द्वितीयञ्च सरस्वती
तृतीयं शारदा देवी चतुर्थ हंसवाहिनी
पञ्चमं तु जगन्माता षष्ठं वागीश्वरी तथा
सप्तमं चैव कौमारी अष्टमं वरदायिनी
नवमं बुद्धिदात्री च दशमं ब्रह्मचारिणी
एकादशं चन्द्रघण्टा द्वादशं भुवनेश्वरी
द्वादशै तानि नामानि त्रिसन्ध्यं य पठेन्नरः
जिव्हाग्रे वसते तस्य ब्रह्मरूपा सरस्वती
Festivals of Nepal
-
Dashain
Tihar
Nepali New Year
Chaath
Losar
Haritalika Teej
Aama ko mukh herne din
Buba ko mukh herne din
Janai Purnima
Maghe Sankranti
Maha Shivaratri
Falgu Purnima
Ram Nawami
Ghode Jatra
Buddha Jayanti
Udhauli Parba - Ubhauli Parba
Ganatantra Diwas
Shahid Diwas
Dahi Chewra Khane Din
Shree Krishna Janmasthami
Indra Jatra
Tulashi Bibah
Haribodhini Ekadashi
Yomari Punhi
Shree Swasthani
Saraswoti Puja
Nari Diwas