KATHMANDU, Oct 18: Hindus throughout the country are observing the eighth day of the ten-day Bada Dashain festival as Maha Astami today by worshipping Goddess Maha Gauri.
On this day, people offer special worship to the goddesses Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Maha Saraswati. According to Vedic scriptures, this day of the Dashain festival is considered special because Goddess Durga attained power on this day.
On the occasion, people perform religious rituals at Dashain Ghars and armouries and worship goddesses at various shrines by offering sacrifices of different animals. People also chant mantras from the Durga Saptashati, Shrimad Devi Bhagwat and Devi Stotra scriptures.
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Maha Astami and Maha Nawami festival being observed today
Devotees have been thronging various goddess shrines in the Kathmandu Valley since early morning to offer prayers and sacrifice goats and ducks. Goddess temples throughout the country also witness worship and sacrifices of goats, ducks and roosters.
Special Durgapuja worship and prayer ceremonies are held at Dashain Ghars. People also worship weapons, vehicles and machines. Those who do not sacrifice animals offer vegetables and fruits instead.
Also on this day, special Kalaratri worship is held at midnight at the Dashain Ghar of Hanumandhoka in the federal capital.
It is believed that worshipping the nine different forms of the goddess during Navaratra (the nine-night period) bestows power, wealth and knowledge upon devotees.
The nine forms of the goddess Nawadurga worshipped during Navaratra are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidhatri.