KATHMANDU: The Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Bikash Committee has stated that Maha Ashtami will be observed for two days this year due to an extension in the Navaratri calendar. The committee has therefore advised devotees to repeat today the rituals performed on Maha Ashtami yesterday ((Sunday).
According to the calendar approved by the committee, Maha Ashtami falls on both October 18 and 19. The rituals performed on October 18 should be repeated on Ocotber 19 in the Dashain Ghar or puja room, said Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, a former committee member and head of the Department of Theology at Balmiki Vidyapeeth.
“Although October 19 is the ninth day of Navaratri, the rituals should be performed as prescribed for the eighth day,” Prof. Dr. Bhattarai said. He added that Maha Gauri, the eighth form of the goddess Nava Durga, should be worshipped in the Dashain Ghar puja room on Monday. Other Maha Ashtami rituals should also be repeated on the day, he said.
The calendar approved by the committee states that the Kalratri puja, traditionally performed on the night of Ashwin Shukla Ashtami, should instead be conducted on the night of October 18 this year.
Religious scholars say that extending the goddess’s worship and spiritual observances by one day will not affect the religious significance of the rituals.
Kalratri Puja at Hanuman Dhoka on Monday night
The Kalratri puja performed on behalf of the state at Hanuman Dhoka will take place on Monday night, October 19, following consultations with the committee and in accordance with the traditions observed by the Taleju priests, said Jayanti Shrestha Pradhan, chief of the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Care Office.
She said the decision was made because Hanuman Dhoka Durbar traditionally conducts Mahanavami puja and other rituals on the day following Maha Ashtami.
The regular Maha Ashtami puja was also performed on Sunday at the Dashain Ghar of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar. The main puja will be conducted on Monday. Hanuman Dhoka Durbar has a longstanding tradition of performing special worship on Maha Ashtami night, including the sacrifice of 108 animals.
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