Maha Astami Today

Hindus across the country are celebrating Maha Astami today, the eighth day of the ten-day Bada Dashain festival, by worshipping Goddess Durga Bhawani.

Devotees offer special prayers to the goddesses Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Maha Saraswati, as the day is believed to mark the moment when Goddess Durga attained divine power. Religious rituals are performed at Dashain Ghars and armouries, with worshippers making offerings and reciting verses from the Durga Saptashati scriptures.

From early morning, devotees crowded shrines dedicated to Goddess Durga in the Kathmandu Valley and across the country, offering worship and animal sacrifices of goats, ducks and roosters. Those who avoid animal sacrifice make symbolic offerings of fruits and vegetables instead.

Special Durgapuja ceremonies are being held at Dashain Ghars nationwide, where people also worship weapons, vehicles and machines. A midnight, Kalaratri ritual will take place at the Hanumandhoka Dashain Ghar in Kathmandu to mark the occasion. -- RSS