KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari attended the Basanta Shrawan ritual organised in Hanumandhoka Durbar Square this morning.

On the occasion, the President listened to 12 verses recited by Devraj Aryal, chief priest at the Hanumandhoka Durbar Office, at the auspicious hour of 11:35 am, and received tika and prasad.

The chief priest also offered tika and prasad to the Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and distinguished high-level officials. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi, ministers and the chiefs of the security bodies.

President Bhandari was also offered a guard of honour by a contingent of the Nepali Army.

The ritual is observed every year on the occasion of Basanta Panchami. The festival is also celebrated as the Shree Panchami or Saraswati Puja, offering prayers to Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge.

There is a tradition that the Head of the State and of the Government along with high officials attend the Basanta Shrawan ritual every year.

Shree Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the waxing moon in the month of Magh according to the Nepali calendar. The ritual has its origins in the Shreemad Bhagawat Mahapurana which mentions about a particular episode in the life of the Hindu deity Krishna in which Radha and her friends sing hymns in praise of lord Krishna heralding the arrival of the spring season.

It is believed that from this day, the sun starts moving to the northern hemisphere, causing longer days and signaling the beginning of spring season. Marriage ceremonies and other religious functions are also performed on this day as the day is believed to be auspicious. Legend has it that reciting and listening to verses about goddess Saraswati on this day enriches knowledge.

The Nepali traditional Panchaibaja ensemble was playing as the listening of the hymns was in progress. The Nepalese Army band also played the auspicious melody on the occasion.