Devotees flocked to different shrines from the wee hours of the morning. It is believed that worshipping the Goddess and singing the different hymns related to the Goddess on this particular day bring unrestrained blessings.

In the valley, devotees paid homage to the temples of Goddess Durga at Guheswhori, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Bhadrakali, Naxal, Shova Bhagwati, Bijeshwori, Indrayani, Raktakali, Bajrayogini, Sankata, Bajrabarahi, Dhakshinkali, Swetbarahi, Dhumbarahi, Chamunda and Sundari Mai among other places.

Devotees outside the valley visited the temples of Manakamana in Gorkha, Gawahamai of Parsa, Chinnamasta Bhagwati in Saptari, Danusha Rajdevi, Ugratara in Dadeldhura, Nala Bhagwati in Kavrepalanchowk, Palanchowk Bhagwati and Chandeshwori, Palchowk Bhagwati and Lastimai in Sindhupalchowk, Kalinchowk Bhagwati in Dolakha, Pathibhara Devisthan in Taplejung to pay homage and carryout ritualistic animal sacrifices involving goat, rooster, pigeon and duck. People who do not sacrifice animals offer sacrifices of various vegetables and fruits in place of animals.

On the day, special Durgapuja worship and prayer ceremonies were held at the Dashain Ghars and special worship chambers in every household. People also worship weapons, vehicles and machinery parts in adherence to traditional rituals passed on from the Vedic period.

Prof Dr Madhav Bhattarai, President of Rastriya Dharma Sabha Nepal said that the animal sacrifice must be done under strict adherence to religious scriptures.   At the Dashain Ghar in Hanumandhoka 54 goats and 54 buffaloes will be sacrificed tonight with worship of Kal Ratri and by chanting the hymns of the Goddess in the Durga Saptashati scriptures, informed Mitharam Pudasaini, an employee at the Dashainghar. RSS

Meanwhile, the Taleju Bhawani temple situated at Hanumandhoka will be opened opened for public on Friday to mark the Maha Nawami – the ninth day of Dashain. This temple is opened for public once a year on this day. A special puja is performed in this temple on Nawami.