Kathmandu, Oct 17 – Hindus throughout the country are observing the eighth day of the ten-day long Bada Dasain festival as the Maha Astami festival today by worshipping Goddess Durga Bhawani.
On this day, people offer special worships to the goddesses Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Maha Saraswati. This day of the Dasain festival is considered a special day when Goddess Durga attained power.
On the occasion, people perform religious rituals at the Dasain Ghars and armories and offer worship to goddess at various shrines by offering sacrifices of different animals. The people also read the Durga Saptashati scriptures.
Devotees throng various goddess shrines in the Kathmandu Valley from early morning today for offering worships and sacrificing goats and ducks.
Similarly, people throng the various goddess temples throughout the country today to offer worships, sacrificing goats, ducks and roosters.
Special Durgapuja worship and prayer ceremonies are held at the Dasain Ghars. 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 Dashain Ghar of Hanumandhoka in the capital city.
On the occasion of Bada Dashain festival, the Fulpati was taken into the homes as per tradition throughout the country on Tuesday evening.
Fulpati, an assortment of flowers, leaves and fruits of different plants considered auspicious, was anointed at the Dashaighar on the seventh day of the Bada Dashain festival.
Although the Dashain festival begins from Ghatasthapana, the festival sees special fervor from the day of Fulpati.
All government as well as private offices closed down from Tuesday, encouraging people to go back to their respective ancestral homes and take blessings from Durga Bhawani as well as their elders.
