Kanpur: Basant Panchami was celebrated with religious fervour and traditional rituals across the city on Friday, with devotees, schools, offices and temples observing the festival dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, art and music.Devotees offered prayers to the goddess, seeking blessings for success in education, wisdom and creative pursuits. The festival holds special significance for students, teachers and those associated with the arts. According to Hindu belief, worshipping Goddess Saraswati on Basant Panchami brings progress in learning, art and music. As per religious scholars, the most auspicious time for worship was between 7.33 am and 12.33 pm. During this period, devotees performed prayers before idols and pictures of the Goddess, adorning her with yellow marigold garlands and offering yellow-coloured sweets. In keeping with tradition, a majority of devotees were seen wearing yellow attire, symbolising prosperity and the arrival of spring. On the occasion, the second anniversary of Radha-Krishna Veda Vidyalaya (Gurukul) was celebrated with devotion at the JK Temple campus. Vedic students performed a yajna in the morning, accompanied by chanting and Saraswati worship. In Shivaji Nagar market, a community feast (bhandara) were organised. The bhandara was inaugurated by Kumudni Dixit, who performed aarti and offered prayers.Students of BNSD Shiksha Niketan marked the occasion with special Saraswati prayers. Barrister Narendrajit Singh Bal Sanskar Kendra organised ‘pati pujan’ for young children, where new students were presented with slates and chalk after the rituals. Meanwhile, Allenhouse Public School will observe its Basant Panchami function on Sunday, with students and their parents invited to take part in the celebrations.
