Saraswati pooja is observed on Magh Sukla Panchami. Saraswati puja is done on Panchami, so the day is also called Shree Panchami. Shree Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the waxing moon in the month of Magh according to the Nepali calendar.
Saraswati Puja, which is celebrated to worship to the goddess of art, music, science, wisdom, and knowledge, marks the conclusion of the winter season and the beginning of the spring season.
This is the day for many Nepali kids start writing their first letters and alphabets. Children are taken to Saraswati temple and asked to read and write first letter of their life. The wall of Swaraswati temples across the country are scribbled by Nepali Alphabet, numbers and slokas. Kids use white chalk to write on the slate or wall. Therefore, it is very important day for every kid. It is believed, Shree Panchami is the best day to start learning new things. Students worship books, pens, notebooks and other instruments. Musician worship his/her instruments. Professionals worships their tools. In one sentence, this is the day when the source of knowledge, art and education are worshiped.
Students worship goddess Saraswati with more diligence and respect. Schools and colleges have special celebration of Saraswati puja.
Saraswati is one of Lord Bhrama’s most magnificent creations. She is thought to be Brahma’s most beautiful creation. Saraswati is a Goddess with four hands who sits on a white lotus and wears a white sari. Her mode of transportation is a white Swan. Veena, Book, and a garland are in her hands.
This festival is also known as Basanta panchami. Basanta means Spring. Basanta Panchami is the day when winter draws to an end and spring begins.
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 ||
Saraswati Sloka
सरस्वती मया दृष्टा वीणापुस्तकधारिणी
हंसवाहनसंयुक्ता 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
