Maha Nawami being observed today; Devotees throng historic Taleju Temple on Maha Nawami

Kathmandu / Oct 18: ‘Maha Nawami’ or the ninth day of Dashain festival is being observed today with much fervour by worshiping Goddess Durga.

This day is marked on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Asoj as per lunar calendar.

Special worship is performed to Goddess Durga today and ‘jamara’ — the germinated seeds sown on the first day of the festival — is offered to the goddess at various temples and shrines. Various kinds of offerings are made to the goddess in worship and gratitude.

The Durga Saptasati and Devi Strota scriptures are also recited at homes and in temples on this day. Today is also the day when people worship their vehicles and other machinery.

As mentioned in the Markandeya Purana scripture, Goddess Chamunda had slain the demon Raktabij on the day of Maha Nawami.

The Taleju Temple located at Hanumandhoka in the capital city is also opened today for devotees to pay homage. The temple is opened only on the occasion of Maha Nawami.

People of the Newar community today also worship Bhimsen, a Hindu deity, on the occasion of Maha Nawami.

Devotees throng historic Taleju Temple on Maha Nawami

Meanwhile, devotees today have thronged the Taleju Bhawani Temple to observe ‘Maha Nawami’, the ninth day of Dashain festival.

This historic temple of the Hindu goddess located at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is opened once a year to the public on this day.

The temple which was built in the 13th century dates back to the Malla-era. According to the temple management committee, devotees lined up at the temple since 3:00 am today to pay homage to the Goddess Taleju Bhawani.

The temple remains open throughout the day today and a large number of devotees are expected to visit the shrine.

Daily worships and rituals take place in the temple on remaining 364 days, but it is not opened to the public.

Taleju Bhawani, worshipped as the patron deity of the Malla kings who ruled the then Nepal (Kathmandu Valley) from 12th to 18th century, remains the clan goddess of Newar community in the Valley.

The temple draws a large number of devotees from within the Valley and adjoining areas on the day of Maha Nawami.RSS