KATHMANDU: Devotees have been thronging temples and shrines of goddess throughout the country today on the occasion of Maha Ashtami, eighth day of the Dashain festival.

Devotees have been queuing at the temples dedicated to Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, Mahasaraswati and other female deities. The goddesses symbolise power and strength.

A large crowd of devotees could be seen at Guheshwari temple, Maitidevi temple, Kalikasthan temple, Bhadrakali temple, Naxal Bhagawati temple, Shova Bhagawati temple, Bijeshwari temple, Indrayani temple, Naradevi temple, Bajra Barahi temple, Raktakali temple, Sankata temple, Bagalamukhi temple, among other shrines, in Kathmandu today.

Similarly, throngs of devotees could be seen visiting Dakshinkali temple on the southern side of Kathmandu, Palanchok Bhagawati temple in Kavre, Chandeshwari temple in Banepa, Gorakhkali temple and Manakamana temple in Gorkha, Chhinnamasta temple in Saptari, Nuwakot Bhairavi temple in Nuwakot, Shaileshwari temple in Doti, Kalika Bhagawati temple in Baglung, Dantakali temple in Dharan, Ugratara temple in Dadeldhura, Siddhakali temple in Bhojpur, Bageshwari temple in Banke, and Pathibhara temple in Taplejung, among others.