Vasant
Panchami/saraswati Puja Jan 31
It's chilly
in the Valley. Coupled with monstrous power cuts (16hrs+
per day!), it makes for a rather gloomy time. Fortunately, the
sun has
started moving northwards, and the days are getting longer. This
period of the sun moving north is referred to as Uttarayan Punyakalam
and is considered auspicious in the Hindu calendar. Legend has it
that
the Devas (gods) wake up after a six-month long slumber during this
period. And so it is believed that those who pass away during
Uttarayana attain salvation. In fact, one of the heroes of the
Mahabharatha war, Bheeshma, is believed to have waited for the dawn of
Uttarayana, as he lay on the battlefield pierced by scores of arrows,
before he gave up his life. Next comes the first day of spring - Vasant
Panchami.
In
Nepal this day coincides with the holy-day of Saraswati, the Goddess of
Learning.
On
this day, students all over the country visit shrines of Saraswati, and
beseech her blessings in their studies. Small children are
brought to
the temple to scribble their first written letters.
Thousands
of students converge here on Saraswati Hill
(behind Swayambhu) for the Goddess's blessing as well as the blessing
of the Buddhist God of Wisdom, Manjushri.
Here's
wishing you an abundance of wisdom on Saraswati Puja day, and a breath
of spring on Vasant Panchami, which this year occurs on January 31st.
Love
& pranams, Billy
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