INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 22Hindus across the country are celebrating the eighth day of the
ten-day-long Bada Dashain festival as Maha Ashtami by worshipping the Goddess Durga Bhawani.
possession across the country
Rishi Panchami being observed today
On this day, people offer special prayers to the goddesses
Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Maha Saraswati
This particular day of the Dashain festival is considered significant as it is believed that on this day the Goddess Durga gained her divine
power.On the occasion, people perform religious rituals at the Dashain Ghars and armories and offer worship to goddesses at various shrines
by offering sacrifices of different animals
The people also chant the mantras from Durga Saptashati, Shrimad Devi Bhagwat and Devi Stotra scriptures.
Devotees throng
various goddess shrines in the Kathmandu Valley early in the morning to offer worship and make offerings of goats and ducks.Likewise, across
the country, people visit various goddess temples to perform worship and make offerings, including the sacrifice of goats, ducks, and
roosters.Special Durga Puja ceremonies and prayer rituals take place at the Dashain Ghars
There is also a tradition of worshipping weapons, vehicles, and machines on the day of Maha Ashtami.For those who refrain from animal
sacrifices, various vegetables and fruits are offered in place of animals.Furthermore, on this day, a special Kalaratri worship is performed
at midnight at the Dashain Ghar in local Hanumandhoka.
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com
