KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari paid homage to the goddess at various shrines in the Kathmandu Valley today on the occasion of the Maha Astami, the eighth day of the 10 days long Bada Dashain festival. The President visited the Naxal Bhagawati, Guheshwari, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Bhadrakali, Mahankal, Sankata, Naradevi, Indrayani and Shova Bhagawati temples and paid homage to the goddesses. She was also offered prasad by the temple priests. According to religious belief, one is blessed with spiritual powers throughout the year if one paid homage at the goddess temples on the day of Maha Astami after performing special worship of goddess Nawa Durga. Before this, President Bhandari went to the Palanchok Bhagawati temple in Kavrepalanchok in the morning today and paid homage to the goddess Palanchok Bhagawati.