Maha Ashtami Festival today

KATHMANDU: Hindus throughout the country are observing the eighth day of the ten-day long Bada Dashain festival as the Maha Ashtami festival on Wednesday by worshipping Goddess Durga Bhawani.

On this day, people offer special worship to the goddesses Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Maha Saraswati. This day of the Dashain festival is considered a special day when Goddess Durga attained power.

On the occasion, people perform religious rituals at the Dashain Ghars and armouries and offer worship to goddesses at various shrines by offering sacrifices of different animals. The people also read the Durga Saptashati scriptures.

Devotees throng various goddess shrines in the Kathmandu Valley from early morning today for offering worship and sacrificing goats and ducks.

Similarly, people throng the various goddess temples throughout the country today to offer worship, sacrificing goats, ducks and roosters.

Special Durga Puja worship and prayer ceremonies are held at the Dashain Ghars. People also worship weapons, vehicles and machines.

People who do not sacrifice animals offer sacrifices of various vegetables and fruits in place of animals. 

Also on this day, a special Kalaratri worship is held at midnight at the Dashain Ghar of Hanumandhoka in the capital city.