Maha Astami, the eighth day of the ten-day long Dashain festival, was observed throughout the country on Monday by worshipping Goddess Durga Bhawani.
Hindus throughout the country observed the Maha Astami by offering special worships to the goddesses Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Maha Saraswati, the different manifestations of the Goddess Durga in Hinduism. This day of the Dashain festival is considered a special day when the Goddess Durga attained power, according to Vedic rituals.
On the occasion, people performed religious rituals at the Dashain Ghars and armories and offered worship to the goddess at various shrines by making sacrifices of different animals. The people also chanted the mantras from Durga Saptashati, Shrimad Devi Bhagwat and Devi Stotra scriptures.
Devotees thronged various Goddess shrines in the Kathmandu Valley from early morning today for offering worships and sacrificing goats and ducks. Similarly, people visited various temples of Hindu goddesses throughout the country to offer worships and sacrifice goats, ducks and roosters on the occasion of the Maha Astami.
Special Durga puja worship and prayer ceremonies were held at the Dashain Ghars. People also worshiped the weapons, vehicles and machines. Those who do not sacrifice animals offered sacrifices of various vegetables and fruits in place of animals.
