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KATHMANDU: Hindus across the country are celebrating Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of the ten-day-long Bada Dashain festival by worshipping Goddess Durga Bhawani.
On this day, people offer special prayers to the Goddesses Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Maha Saraswati. It is believed that Goddess Durga gained her divine power on this particular day of the Badadashain
On the occasion, people perform religious rituals at the Dashain Ghar and armouries and worship Goddesses at various shrines by offering sacrifices of different animals. People also chant the mantras from Durga Saptashati, Shrimad Devi Bhagwat and Devi Stotra scriptures.
Devotees in Kathmandu Valley throng various shrines of Goddesses in the early morning to offer worship and make offerings of goats and ducks.
Likewise, across the country, people visit various Goddess temples to perform worship and make offerings, including the sacrifice of goats, ducks, and roosters.
Special Durga Puja ceremonies and prayer rituals take place at the Dashain Ghar. There is also a tradition of worshipping weapons, vehicles, and machines on the day of Maha Ashtami.
For those who refrain from animal sacrifices, various vegetables and fruits are offered instead of animals.
Furthermore, on this day, a special Kalaratri worship is performed at midnight at the Dashain Ghar in Hanumandhoka.
