Hindus throughout Nepal are celebrating Maha Astami, the eighth day of the Bada Dashain festival, today by worshipping Goddess Durga Bhawani. This significant day honors the goddesses Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Maha Saraswati, with special prayers and offerings.
Maha Astami is revered as the day when Goddess Durga attained her divine power. Devotees mark the occasion by performing religious rituals at Dasain Ghars and armories, offering animal sacrifices, and reciting the Durga Saptashati scriptures.
From early morning, devotees have been visiting goddess shrines across the Kathmandu Valley to offer prayers and sacrifices, including goats and ducks. This tradition is followed throughout the country, with people thronging temples to make offerings of goats, ducks, and roosters in honor of the goddess.
Special Durga Puja ceremonies are held at Dasain Ghars, where devotees worship weapons, vehicles, and machines as part of the festival. For those who do not sacrifice animals, offerings of vegetables and fruits are made in place of the traditional animal sacrifices.
A special Kalaratri worship is also held at midnight at the Dashain Ghar in Hanumandhoka, Kathmandu, adding to the spiritual significance of the day. The Maha Astami festival continues to be a pivotal part of the cultural and religious fabric of Nepal.
Source: RSS
