Pancha Bali performed at Hanuman Dhoka (pictures)

Kathmandu, October 11 — The grand festival of Maha Nawami, celebrated on the day of Ashwin Shukla Nawami, is being observed today with special prayers and worship of Goddess Nawadurga. On Maha Nawami, rituals including Durga Puja are performed, and the jamara (barley sprouts) placed during Ghatasthapana are taken to various power shrines for offerings.

In temples and power shrines across the state, including Dasain homes and Kot, special worship of Durga Bhawani is conducted with offerings of goats, ducks, chickens, and sheep, along with the recitation of Durga Saptashati (Chandi), Srimad Bhagwat, and Devi Stotra. Those who do not offer animal sacrifices and vegetarians typically offer fruits such as cucumber, gourd, radish, and even coconuts while also preparing a sweet dish called paayas.

In many places, it is customary to offer sacrifices on Maha Astami and perform rituals on Maha Nawami. According to the Markandeya Puran, the day of Maha Nawami holds special significance as Goddess Chamunda killed the demon Raktabeej on this very day. In some religious shrines, offerings of various animals including ducks, chickens, goats, sheep, and rams (commonly known as pancha bali—a quintuple sacrifice) are also made today.