Vasantha Panchami celebrated with fervour at Basar Saraswathi temple

The annual Vasantha Panchami festival was celebrated with religious fervour at the Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam in Basar on Friday. Around three lakh devotees attended rituals, special prayers and Aksharabhyasam, with elaborate arrangements made for smooth conduct

Nirmal: The annual Vasantha Panchami festival, marking the birth anniversary of Goddess Saraswathi, was celebrated with gaiety and spiritual fervour at the ancient Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam at Basar on Friday.

Temple officials said Vedic pundits and priests performed Ganapathi Homam, Chandi Yagam and other customary rituals on the first day of the celebrations. Endowments Department Principal Secretary Shailaja Ramaiyer presented silk clothing to the deity on behalf of the government and was felicitated by the priests and temple authorities.

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According to officials, around three lakh devotees from different parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, as well as neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka, visited the shrine and offered special prayers. Devotees took a holy dip in the Godavari river flowing near the temple town before having darshan of the deity. Several religious organisations arranged annadanam for devotees.

A large number of parents performed Aksharabhyasam, the initiation of children into the world of alphabets, on the auspicious occasion. Elaborate arrangements were made to ensure the smooth conduct of the festivities. Basic amenities, including queue lines, sheds, temporary toilets and parking facilities, were provided for the convenience of devotees.

In the evening, Kacchapi Ashtottara Shathaveenanada Neerajana was organised under the aegis of prominent musician Potharaju Jayalaxmi. Cultural programmes held as part of the celebrations enthralled devotees.

According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Goddess Saraswathi was born on Vasantha Panchami or Sree Panchami. Followers of the Hindu faith celebrate the occasion with devotion and enthusiasm in temples, homes and educational institutions.