Mahanawami celebration at Basantapur (with photos)

KATHMANDU: The Mahanawami festival, which marks the ninth day of 15-day-long Dashain festival, is being observed on Thursday with fervor, worshipping Goddess Durga and making offerings. 

Special worship is performed to Durga Bhawani on the occasion of the Mahanawami. He-goats, ducks, roosters and he-buffalos are sacrificed at various temples dedicated to the goddesses. Those who do not have the tradition of offering animal or bird sacrifices, offer the sacrifice of fruits and vegetables to the goddess.  

The Durga Saptasati and Devi Stotra scriptures are also recited at home and in temples on this day.

As mentioned in the Markandeya Purana, Goddess Chamunda had slain the demon Raktabij on the day of Mahanawami. So, there is special worship of the goddess on this day with the offering of animal sacrifices. 

Here are some photos taken on the Basantapur Durbar Square premises in Kathmandu on Thursday morning.