Mahanawami festival today; Worshippers throng Taleju Bhawani temple

Kathmandu / Oct 10: The ninth day of the Bada Dasain festival is being observed as Mahanawami festival throughout the country today.

Animal sacrifices and special offerings are made at ‘Dasainghars’ and ‘Kots’ or armouries as well as at the shrines of various goddesses and Shaktipeeths today.

Since early morning today, a large number of devotees visit the temples of goddesses Mahakali, Shri Mahalaxmi and Durga Bhagawati.

Devotees also throng the shaktipeeths of Dakshinkali, Guheshwari, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Naxal Bhagawati, Bhadrakali, Shobha Bhagawati, Bijyeshwori, Indrayani, Naradevi, Bajrabarahi, Raktakali, Bajrayogini and Sankata and offer prayers and sacrifices.

According to the tradition, prayers are offered and Durga Saptasati scripture recited at the Shaktipeeths today.

The festival is considered to be of special importance because goddess Chamunda had slain the Raktabij demon on this day of Mahanawami.

Chicken, ducks, goats, sheep and buffaloes are sacrificed in this festival. Vegetarians offer coconuts, radish, bottle-gourds, etc.

Machinery, arms and vehicles are cleaned and offered sacrifice on Mahanawami, the last day of Nawaratri.

Thousands of devotees offer worship at the Taleju Bhawani temple at Hanumandhoka. This temple is opened only once a year on the day of Mahanawami.

The worship of Sri Durga Bhawani at Dashainghars over nine days concludes formally on the day of Bijaya Dashami after the Abhishekh or sprinkling of holy water takes place marking the beginning of Tika.

Meanwhile, the Taleju Bhawani temple at Hanuman Dhoka Temple has been opened to public today on the occasion of Mahanawani, the ninth day of the 10-day Bada Dashain festival.

As the temple of goddess Taleju Bhawani is opened for public only on the day of Mahanawami for the general public, a large number of worshippers have been thronging the Temple since early morning for worship and prayer.

Representatives from the Hanuman Dhoka Herchaha Adda (HDHA) and volunteers have been managing the crowd of the devotees that is expected to surpass 80,000.

According to a local social worker Ramesh Man Munika, it is believed that by worshipping Taleju Bhawani on this day, the worshippers are blessed with peace, prosperity and domestic happiness.

Meanwhile, a total of 54 male goats and buffaloes in same number were sacrificed nearby the three-storey Temple last night on the occasion of Maha-Astami, the eight day of the festival also known as Kal Ratri, according to HDHA Chief Saraswati Singh. RSS