KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 14

'Maha Nawami' festival is being observed with joy and great enthusiasm all over the country, worshipping Goddess Durga and making offerings, today.

This day is marked on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Asoj as per lunar calendar.

Special worship is performed to Goddess Durga and 'jamara' which have been germinated is offered to the goddesses at various shrines.

The Durga Saptasati and Devi Strota scriptures are also recited at home and in temples on this day.

As mentioned in the Markandeya scripture, the Goddess Chamunda had slain the demon Raktabij on the day of Maha Nawami.

On this day, the security forces also perform 'kot puja' or worship of the armouries.

The Taleju Temple located at Hanumandhoka in the federal capital is also opened for the devotees to pay homage on this day.

The people of the Newar community also worship Bhimsen, a Hindu deity, by making animal sacrifices on the occasion of Mahanawami.