3 October, Kathmandu. Mahanavami, which is celebrated every year on the day of Ashwin Shukla Navami, is being celebrated today with special worship of Navadurga Bhagwati.
On the day of Mahanavami, Durga Puja and other activities are performed, and the Jamra kept on the day of Ghatasthaphana is offered to various Shaktipeeths. In various goddess temples and Shaktipeeths including Dashinghar and Kot, special pujas are performed along with sacrifices and Durga Saptashati (Chandi), Sri Maddevi Bhagavat and Devi Stotras are recited.
Those who do not sacrifice animals and vegetarians also sacrifice Kuvindo, Ghiraula, Mula, Cucumber and Jata coconut on the day of Mahanavami. In some Shaktipeeths, ducks, chickens, goats, sheep and snakes are also sacrificed. In most places, there is a tradition of sacrifice on the day of Mahashtami and killing on the day of Mahanavami.
As mentioned in the Markandeya Purana, the Mahanavami festival is considered with special significance as Chamunda Devi killed the demon Raktabeeja on the same day as the Mahanavami date.
Even today, on the last day of Navratri, devotees throng Sakthi Peetha all over the country for worship and darshan. On the day of Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the ninth goddess Siddhidatri, who is the ninth goddess of Navadurga, is properly worshiped in the pooja room or Dashain house where the jamara is kept. Dakshina is also given to Kanya as a symbol of Durga. Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati are also ritually worshiped on this occasion.
On the occasion of Mahanavami, Kot Puja and Nishana Puja are performed at the Kots with great joy. On this occasion, there is a tradition of performing military target puja and kota puja along with wares in Hanumandho's palace as well as in the barracks and gulmas of the Nepalese army.
The temple of Taleju Bhawani in Hanumandhoka Darbar area of Kathmandu opens for the general public only one day a year on Mahanavami. According to Hanumandhoka Darbar Care Center, arrangements have been made for darshan at the temple of Taleju Bhawani from 5 am to 6 pm today.
