Today Maha Ashtami: Durga Bhawani is being worshiped

KATHMANDU: OCT. 13 – Maha Ashtami, celebrated on the day of Ashwin Shukla Ashtami, is being celebrated grandly by Nepalis today in the form of Dashain with special worship of Durga Bhawani. On the eighth day of Dashain, special worship of Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati is performed.

Maha Ashtami has a special significance as it is the day to make Durga Bhawani powerful. Today, Durga Bhawani is specially worshiped by sacrificing animals at various Temples of the state including Dashain Ghar and Kotal. Durga Saptasati, Srimad Devi Bhagwat and Devi Stotra are recited. Prof. Dr. Ram Chandra Gautam, a theologian and former chairman of the Nepal Panchang Judging Committee, says that both rational and irrational beings desire salvation and that the animal is saved and born in the upper vagina by performing ritual sacrifices in temples and yajnas.

Satvik, Rajas and Tamas are three types of worship described in the scriptures, Satvik water, sandalwood, and Akshat are the sixfold worship. Worship with Satvik and animal sacrifice is called Rajas Puja. It is classical, ”he said.

For Brahmins, animal sacrifice is forbidden. Theologians say that animal sacrifice is important for the salvation of animals by empowering the goddess to destroy demonic tendencies. Dr. Gautam says that animal sacrifice is not unscientific as it is also discussed in the eighth chapter of Durga Saptashati Chandi. “There is a scriptural saying that the ruler of the state must sacrifice animals for the power of the Lord, the power of mantras and the power of zeal,” he said.

These three powers can only be obtained from Durga Bhawani. For this reason, animal sacrifices are performed methodically today. Today, the night is celebrated as Kalaratri with the ritual of animal sacrifice and worship. This is of special importance as the worship method and resolution of Kalaratri will be different. Brahmins, on the other hand, do not have to worship Kalratri. Today, Temples in the valley worship Guhyeshwori, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Bhadrakali, Naxal Bhagwati, Shobha Bhagwati, Bijeshwori, Indrayani, Raktakali, Vajrayogini, Sankata, Bajrabarahi, Dakshinkali, Chamunda, Sundarimail and other temples.

Similarly, Manakamana of Gorkha outside the valley, Gahawamai of Parsa, Chhinnamasta Bhagwati of Saptari, Rajdevi of Dhanusha, Ugratara of Dadeldhura, Chandeshwori of Kavrepalanchok, Nala Bhagwati, Palanchowk Bhagwati of Sindhupalchowk, Kalinchok Bhagwati of Dolakha, Pathibhara of Taplejung and other Temples are also crowded with devotees.

Today, parts, weapons and vehicles are specially cleaned and kept at the place where the goddess is established and worshiped with animal sacrifices. These instruments are worshiped as weapons of the goddess.

The goddess is worshiped by invoking the Chaturangini army along with her weapons. Those who do not offer animal sacrifices today worship in the worship room by sacrificing Cucumbers, Ghiraula (Luffa Gourd), Kubindo (Ash Gourd), Radish and Coconut according to their own tradition.

On the night of Maha Ashtami, Kalratri is worshiped at the Dasahin Ghar of Hanuman Dhoka with the sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 bullocks on behalf of the state.