Kathmandu : The Mahanawami festival is being observed today with fervor worshiping goddess Durga Bhawani and making offerings. This festival is observed on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Asoj as per the lunar calendar. It is also marked as part of the 10-day Bada Dashain festival.
Special worship is performed to Durga Bhawani today on the occasion of the Mahanawami and the ‘jamara’ which have been germinated is offered to the goddesses at various shrines. He-goats, ducks, roosters and he-buffalos are sacrificed at various temples dedicated to the goddesses. Those who do not have the tradition of offering animal or bird sacrifices, offer the sacrifice of fruits and vegetables to the goddess. The Durga Saptasati and Devi Strota scriptures are also recited at home and in temples on this day.
As mentioned in the Markandeya Purana scripture, the Goddess Chamunda had slain the demon Raktabij on the day of Mahanawami. So, the special worship of the goddess is conducted this day with the offering of animal sacrifices. The Taleju Temple located at Hanumandhoka in the capital city is also opened for the devotees to pay homage on this day. It is opened only on the occasion of the Mahanawami. The people of the Newar community also worship Bhimsen, a Hindu deity, by making animal sacrifices today on the occasion of Mahanawami.
Devotees throng historic Taleju temple to observe Mahanawami
Devotees today thronged the Taleju Bhawani Temple to observe the Mahanawami, the ninth day of the Dashain festival. This historic temple of a Hindu goddess located at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is opened once in a year to the public on this day or the Mahanawami.
The temple which was built in the 13th century dates back to the Malla-era. According to the temple management committee, devotees thronged the temple since 3:00 am today to pay homage to the Goddess Taleju Bhawani.
The temple remains open throughout the day today and a large number of devotees, approximately 100 thousand, are expected to visit the shrine. Daily worships and rituals take place in the temple in remaining 364 days, but it is not opened to the public.
Taleju Bhawani, worshipped as the patron deity of the Malla Kings who ruled the then Nepal (Kathmandu Valley) from the 12th and 18th century, remains as the clan goddess of the Newar Community in the Kathmandu Valley. It draws a large score of devotees from the Valley and adjoining areas on the day of Mahanawami. RSS
Add Comment