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Maha Ashtami 2026: Devotees Throng Goddess Shrines in Nepal

Devotees packed Goddess shrines across Nepal, including Kathmandu Valley, from early Sunday for Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of Bada Dashain, with special worship at Maitidevi Temple.

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Maha Ashtami 2026: Devotees Throng Goddess Shrines in Nepal

Key points

  • Devotees thronged Goddess shrines and temples across Nepal, including in Kathmandu Valley, on Sunday, October 18, for Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of Bada Dashain, The Rising Nepal reported.
  • At Maitidevi Temple in Kathmandu, a large number of devotees gathered from early Sunday morning to offer prayers for Maha Ashtami, Himalini reported.
  • Special worship rituals dedicated to Durga Bhawani were performed at Maitidevi.

Devotees thronged Goddess shrines and temples across Nepal, including in Kathmandu Valley, on Sunday, October 18, for Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of Bada Dashain, The Rising Nepal reported.

At Maitidevi Temple in Kathmandu, a large number of devotees gathered from early Sunday morning to offer prayers for Maha Ashtami, Himalini reported. Devotees visited the temple to worship Goddess Durga and to seek blessings for happiness, peace, prosperity and the well being of their families.

Special worship rituals dedicated to Durga Bhawani were performed at Maitidevi. Traditional religious ceremonies and animal sacrifice rituals, observed as part of Maha Ashtami, also marked the occasion.

The eighth day

Maha Ashtami holds a central place in Dashain, Nepal's biggest Hindu festival. Devotees across the country visit temples and Shakti Peethas, the shrines of the Goddess, to offer prayers and take part in traditional rituals, Himalini reported.

Sunday's worship comes a day after Phulpati, the seventh day of Dashain, when sacred plants were brought into homes and temples across the country and the festival holiday began for government offices and schools. The main day of the festival, Vijaya Dashami, falls on Wednesday, October 21, when elders place tika and jamara on younger family members.

For families who left Kathmandu this week to reach home villages, and for Nepalis abroad following the festival from a distance, Maha Ashtami is one of the most crowded temple mornings of the year.

Sources