KATHMANDU: Hindus throughout the country are observing the Maha Ashtami , the eighth day of the ten-day long Bada Dashain festival, on Sunday by worshiping Goddess Durga Bhawani. On the day, special Durgapuja worship and prayer ceremonies were held at the Dashain Ghars and special worship chambers in every household. People also worship weapons, vehicles and machinery parts in adherence to traditional rituals passed on from the Vedic period. Devotees throng various goddess shrines in the Kathmandu Valley from early morning today to offer worship and sacrifice goats and ducks. People, who do not sacrifice animals, offer various vegetables and fruits in place of animals. On the occasion, a special Kalaratri worship is held at midnight at the Dashain Ghar of Hanumandhoka.