INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 11The Mahanawami festival was observed with great fervor and
worship of Goddess Durga Bhawani today.
Mahanawami festival today
German Unity Day celebrated with much fanfare
As per the lunar calendar, it marked the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Asoj, which is part of the 10-day Bada Dashain
festival.Special rituals were performed in honor of Durga Bhawani, and 'jamara' was offered at various shrines
In many temples dedicated to the goddess, animal sacrifices of he-goats, ducks, roosters, and he-buffalos were made
Those who did not follow the tradition of animal sacrifices offered fruits and vegetables to the goddess instead.
The Durga
Saptasati and Devi Stotra scriptures were recited in homes and temples
According to the Markandeya Purana, the goddess Chamunda slew the demon Raktabij on Mahanawami, which is why animal sacrifices are a key
part of the worship on this day.The security forces also performed the traditional 'kot puja', or the worship of armories, on this occasion
The Taleju Temple at Hanumandhoka in Kathmandu, which is only open to devotees on Mahanawami, welcomed worshippers.In addition, the Newar
community performed worship to the Hindu deity Bhimsen through animal sacrifices
This year, the Maha Astami and Mahanawami festivals coincided and were observed on the same day.
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com