People queuing at Bhadrakali temple for worship on the seventh day of Dashain, Tuesday, Oct 11 05. nepalnews.com

Maha Astami, the eighth day of Bada Dashain festival, is being observed throughout the kingdom Tuesday.

On the occasion of Maha Astami, sacrifices and special offerings were made at Dashainghars and Kots as well as shrines of various goddesses and Shakti Peeth (shrines).

Devotees flocked to temples of Navadurga Bhawani and Shakti Peeths from early morning.

Those offering animal sacrifice and worship flock to Shakti Peeths like Dakshinkali, Guheshwari, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Naxal Bhagawati, Bhadrakali, Shova Bhagawati, Bijyeswari, Indrayani, Bajrabarahi, Raktakali, Bajrayogini and Sankata in the Kathmandu Valley since early morning.

At the Dashainghar of Hanumandhoka at midnight tonight worship is offered to goddess Durga Bhavani, salvoes fired and 54 buffaloes and 54 goats sacrificed in observance of the rites of Kalaratri.

This year, as Maha Nawami and Bijaya Dashami fall on the same day, the Maha Astami worship and rituals should be performed early morning on October 11, the Maha Nawami worships and rituals on the morning of October 12 and the Bijaya Dashami worship should be formally adjourned at the auspicious hour of 11:25 a.m., according to the president of Nepal Calendar Determination Committee and Nayab Badagurujyu Dr Madhav Prasad Bhattarai.

The hour of 13:25 on October 12 is propitious for receiving of the Tika blessings on the occasion of the Vijaya Dashami.

The worship of Shree Durga Bhawani at Dashainghars over nine days concludes formally on the day of Vijaya Dashami.

After that “Abhishekh” or holy water is sprinkled to mark the beginning of Tika.