KATHMANDU: Devotees are thronging the goddess temples throughout the country today on the occasion of Maha Astami, the eighth day of the Bada Dashain festival.

Large number of devotees can be seen at the various goddess temples including of Mahakali, Mahasaraswoti, Mahalaxmi and Devi Bhagawati , paying homage to the goddess since the morning today.

People have thronged Guheshwari, Jaya Bageshwari, Maitidevi, Kalikastan, Naxal Bhagawati, Bhadrakali, Shobha Bhagawati, Bijeshwari, Indrayani, Raktakali, Swetakali, Dakshinkali, Chamundamai, Sundarimai, Bajrayogini, Naradevi, Raktakali, and Bangalamukhi among other temples in Kathmandu.

Similarly, hordes of devotees have been paying homage to the goddess in temples across the country outside the Kathmandu valley. Devotees have thronged the Gorakhkali and Manakamana in Gorkha,  Pathivara in Taplejung, Chhinamasta in Saptari, Gahawamai in Birgunj, Parsa; Gadhimai in Bara, Nuwakot Bhairabhi in Nuwakot, Shaileshwori in Doti, Palanchok Bhagawati in Kavrepalanchowk; Nala Bhagawati, Chandeshwari in Banepa, Kavrepalanchowk,  Bindhyabasini in Pokhara, Kalika Bhagawati in  Baglung, Dantakali in Dharan, Sunsari; Ugratara in Dadeldhura, Siddhakali in Bhojpur,  Shaileshwari and other goddess temples.

There is a belief that one’s wishes are fulfilled by praying and paying homage to the goddess during this festival.