Nepalese Hindu devotees pray at Bagmati river during the Rishi Panchami

Nepalese Hindu devotees pray at Bagmati river during the Rishi Panchami

Rishi Panchmi is celebrated with great joy and festivity in different parts of India as well as in Nepal. Different places have distinct significance for the festival. Mainly, the festival is celebrated in honor of Sapta Rishis. In India, people pay their homage to the Sapta Rishis – the seven sages – Kashyapa, Atri, Bharadhvaja, Vishvamitra, Gauthama, Jamadagni and Vashishta on the occasion of Rishi Panchmi while in some parts of Kerala the day is also observed as Vishwakarma Puja.