Mahastami observed by sacrificing animals in temples across country

The eighth day of Dashai festival, the Mahashtami, was observed by worshipping and appeasing Goddess Durga and her manifestation, Kali, through the sacrifice of thousands of buffaloes, goats, pigeons and ducks in temples throughout the nation.

On this day, sacrifices and special offerings are made at Dashainghars and Kots. Machinery, weapons and vehicles are also cleaned and worshipped. The old palace in Basantapur Hanuman Dhoka, is where most of the sacrifices take place throughout the night.

On this day many orthodox Hindus will also be fasting.

As the day of tika approaches, family members rush to gather together and festivities get heightened in the homes of common people.

This is the day when many devotees observe a feast of meat and other delicacies. Sacrifices are carried out in almost every house on Mahasthami. The meat is taken home and cooked as prasad, or food blessed by divinity. This food is offered, in tiny leaf plates, to the household Gods, then distributed amongst the family. Eating this food is thought to be auspicious while the puja is being carried out.

The night between the eighth and the ninth day of Dashain is also observed as Kaal Ratri (dark night) when a total of 54 buffaloes and 54 goats are sacrificed in observance of the rites of Kalaratri at Dashainghar.

Meanwhile, President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav visited various shrines in the Kathmandu valley on the occasion of Mahashtami, eighth day of Navaratri, on Monday and offered worship to the Goddess Durga.

The President had a darshan of the goddesses in Naxal Bhagawati, Maitidevi, Bhadrakali and other temples this morning.

A large number of devotees thronged the shrines including Dakshinkali, Guhyeswori, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Naxal Bhagawati, Bhadrakali, Shova Bhagawati, Bijeshwori, Indrayani, Raktakali, Bajrayogini, Sankata and Bajrabarahi for worship and animal sacrifice since early morning today. nepalnews.com