KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 22

President Ramchandra Paudel visited various shrines in the Kathmandu Valley and offered worship to the Goddesses on the occasion of Maha Astami, the eighth day of the 10-day Dashain festival.

President Paudel was accompanied by his spouse, First Lady Sabita Paudel.

Maha Astami is considered an auspicious day to pay homage to the Goddess Durga. The President offered prayers at the Bhagawati Temple in Naxal, Guiheshwori Temple, Maitidevi, Bhadrakali, Nardevi, Raktakali, Indrayani, and Shova Bhagawati, where he also received tika and prasad.

It is a tradition for the Head of State to visit various shrines of Goddess Durga in and outside the Kathmandu Valley on this day. In the morning, the President, accompanied by the First Lady, performed worship at the Palanchowk Bhagawati in Paanchkhal Municipality-9 in Kavrepalanchowk district.

The eighth day of Dashain is celebrated by worshiping Goddess Durga Bhawani and offering special prayers to the Goddesses Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Mahasaraswati. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga gained her divine power.