"Ashtami"

#12816596

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816598

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816599

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816601

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816604

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816606

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816607

1 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees stand in queue waiting for their turn to enter the Taleju Bhawani Temple on the day of Maha-Nawami in the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816608

1 October 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee offers oil-fed lamps to the Taleju Bhawani on the ninth day of the fortnightly festival of Dashain at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the main square of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar on Phulpati day (Monday) and is returned to the main temple on the morning of Bijaya Dashami (October 2). Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816613

1 October 2025

A sacrificed he-goat is circumnutated around the ritual ground in Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025, while observing Maha Nawami, the ninth day of the fortnightly festival of Dashain. Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816614

1 October 2025

Members of the Nepal Army in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025, perform rituals on Maha Nawami in the Hanuman Dhoka at the Kathmandu Durbar Square premises. Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816615

1 October 2025

Members of the Nepal Army in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025, perform rituals in Hanuman Dhoka before sacrificing a he-buffalo on Maha Nawami in the Kathmandu Durbar Square premises. Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816618

1 October 2025

A he-buffalo is sacrificed in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025, while observing Maha Nawami, the ninth day of the fortnightly festival of Dashain. Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12816620

1 October 2025

A he-goat is sacrificed in Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 1, 2025, while observing Maha Nawami, the ninth day of the fortnightly festival of Dashain. Traditionally falling on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar, Maha Nawami is marked in the month of October this year. Devotees perform special rituals in honor of Goddess Durga, offering jamara--germinated barley seeds sown on the festival's first day--at various temples and shrines. Additional offerings are also made as part of the celebrations. On Maha Ashtami night, a traditional sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 cows takes place at the main square. It is also on this night that the Kalratri Puja is performed using tantric rituals, symbolizing a prayer for power to govern the state.

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#12814323

30 September 2025

Former Royal Living Goddess Trishna Shakya is seen inside her palanquin as she is carried from the historic Kumari Ghar to her family home in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 30, 2025. The ceremonial farewell features traditional music, rituals, and processions marking the conclusion of her tenure upon reaching puberty. Revered as the living incarnation of Goddess Taleju, she remains an important figure in centuries-old Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Her successor, Aryatara Shakya, 2 1/2 years old, is formally enthroned at Kumari Ghar on the auspicious day of Asthami.

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#12814329

30 September 2025

Former Royal Living Goddess Trishna Shakya is seen inside her palanquin as she is carried from the historic Kumari Ghar to her family home in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 30, 2025. The ceremonial farewell features traditional music, rituals, and processions marking the conclusion of her tenure upon reaching puberty. Revered as the living incarnation of Goddess Taleju, she remains an important figure in centuries-old Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Her successor, Aryatara Shakya, 2 1/2 years old, is formally enthroned at Kumari Ghar on the auspicious day of Asthami.

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#12813433

30 September 2025

Devotees worship a young girl during Kumari Puja on Ashtami at Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka, Bangladesh, marking the divine essence of Goddess Durga.

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