Guwahati, Feb. 14 -- Amidst the current challenges faced by Manipur, devotees, especially the students preparing for their board examinations and their families, congregated at the sacred Hiyangthang Lairembi temple in the Northeast state's Imphal West district on Wednesday on the occasion of Vasant Panchami.

The festival, locally known as Fairengi Mangani, is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning and signifies the arrival of spring.

The Hiyangthang Lairembi temple witnessed a surge of devotees, particularly the 12th-grade students, seeking blessings for their academic success. Ibeyaima, a vendor near the temple, noted the heightened demand for offerings on this special day.

"The temple opens only on specific days like the fu...