Nepali Hindus are observing the eighth important day of the 15-day long Dashain festival called Maha Astami, today.

The Maha Astami festival marks the worshipping of one of the significant forms of Goddess Durga called Goddess Mahakali, and the night of this day is celebrated as Kalaratri.

Other key forms of the Goddess including Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati are also worshipped on this occasion, considered as the day on which Goddess Durga attained power.

The fervor of worship that began from the first Dashain day and the sacrifice to Goddess Durga increases today.

Religious rituals are performed at Dashain Ghars and devotees visit various shrines of Goddess Durga to offer sacrifices of different animals such as goats, buffaloes and ducks.

Devotees also read the holy Durga Saptashati scriptures and also offer special worship to weapons, vehicles and machinery.

A special Kalaratri worship is performed at midnight at the Dashain Ghar of Hanumandhoka in Kathmandu.

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