Basanta Shrawan, also known as Shree Panchami, the start of the spring season as well as the festival of Hindu Goddess of knowledge Saraswati observed across the country on Saturday. 

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari attended the festival on the Hanumandhoka Durbar premises. Bhandari also listened the special melody of basanta, a raga (a classical melody welcoming the spring season) during the programme. Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha were among other distinguished guests present on the occasion. 

Educational institutions across the country also observed the day, holding special programmes. There is a religious belief that the recitation and listening of verses about the Goddess Saraswoti on this day enriches the knowledge. The day is also taken as a special day for introducing alphabets to the children.