Nepalese Hindus mark Panchami

Kathmandu, Feb 1 (IANS) Nepalese Hindu families on Wednesday visited temples across the country to worship the goddess of knowledge and wisdom as they marked the Shree Panchami festival.

Parents helped their children write messages in chalk on the walls of the temple to the Hindu goddess Saraswati while other devotees prayed and made offerings of butter lamps, Efe news reported.

Shree Panchami, also known as the Spring Festival, is an auspicious date on the Hindu calendar when devotees seek blessings from the goddess in the hope she will help them excel in learning and education.

Nepalese students across the country observe the festival by visiting temples dedicated to the goddess, with younger students often taught their first lessons in reading and writing the letters of the alphabet.

The schools also hold special activities and prayers.

The festival also marks the beginning of the spring season and is considered an auspicious day to start new business ventures or to get married.