Eighth day of Bada Dashain, Maha Asthami today

October 22, Kathmandu: Hindus throughout the country are observing the eighth day of the Bada Dashain festival as the Maha Ashtami today 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, according to Vedic rituals.

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 chant the mantras from Durga Saptashati, Shrimad Devi Bhagwat and Devi Stotra scriptures.

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

Various goddess temples throughout the country are offered worship, by sacrificing goats, ducks and roosters. Special Durgapuja worship and prayer ceremonies are held at the Dashain Ghar.

People also worship weapons, vehicles and machines.

Those 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 federal capital.