Saraswati Puja, also known as Basanta Panchami or Shree Panchami, is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the waxing moon of the Nepali month of Magh.

The festival is observed by worshipping Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, art, music and culture.

In Nepal, Hindus and people from the Sikh communities observe this festival. The festival also marks the arrival of the spring season.

On this day, schools and colleges organise pujas to pay homage to the goddess of knowledge. Students participate in huge numbers by starting the day with a ritual bath in the morning, followed by a day-long fast.

As the whole country will be celebrating Saraswati Puja tomorrow, these photos, captured by US Peace Corps volunteers in the 1960s and 70s, show Nepalis celebrating it at a different period in history.

This photo essay is part of our Once Upon a Time series, featuring photographs taken by US Peace Corps volunteers in the 1960s and 70s.

To see more photo essays in the series, visit tkpo.st/eka-deshma