Hindus all over the nation are observing Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of the ten-day long Bada Dasain festival, with zest and zeal on Thursday.

On the day, people offer special worships to Mahakali, Maha Laxmi and Maha Saraswati.

People also offer prayers at the Dashain Ghars and special worship chambers in every household.

From ritualistic point of view, Maha Ashtami holds very important value as Goddess Durge is made powerful on this day.

People also worship weapons, vehicles and machinery parts in adherence to traditional rituals passed on from the Vedic period.

Devotees throng various goddess shrines today to offer worship and sacrifice goats and ducks. Those who do not sacrifice animals offer various vegetables and fruits.

On the occasion, a special Kalaratri worship is performed at midnight at the Dashain Ghar in Hanumandhoka of the Capital.

Photos: Angad Dhakal, Hemanta Shrestha, Surbindra Kumar Pun, Pratap Thapa and Kabin Adhikari