Hindus celebrating Mahaashtami with great fervour

KATHMANDU: Hindus throughout the country are observing the eighth day of the ten-day long Badadashain festival as the Mahaashtami festival today by worshipping Goddess Durga Bhawani.

On this day, people offer special worships to the goddesses Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati. This day of the Dashain festival is considered a special day when Goddess Durga attained power.

On the occasion, people perform religious rituals at the Dashainghars and armouries and offer worship to the goddess at various shrines by offering sacrifices of different animals. The people also read the Durga Saptashati scriptures.

Devotees throng various shrines in the Kathmandu Valley from early morning today, offering worships and sacrificing goats and ducks.

Similarly, people throng various goddess temples throughout the country today to offer worships.

Special Durgapuja worship and prayer ceremonies are held at the Dashainghars. People also worship the weapons, vehicles and machines.

People who do not sacrifice animals offer sacrifices of various vegetables and fruits.

Also on this day, a special Kalaratri worship is held at midnight at the Dashainghar of Hanumandhoka in the Capital.