Kathmandu, October 11: The festival of Maha Ashtami, which is celebrated on the eighth day of Shukla Ashtami, and Maha Navami, which is celebrated on the ninth day, falls on the same day today. Maha Ashtami and Mahanavami festivals are celebrated with special worship. On the eighth day of the festival, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati are worshipped. Due to the reduction of the Tithi time, the priests have suggested performing pooja pooja for the two days today.
It is mentioned in the texts of various Vedic Sanatan traditions that the day of Maha Ashtami is of special significance as it is the day that makes Durga Bhawani powerful. On this day, special worship of Durga Bhawani is performed in various Shaktipeeths.
On this day, the night is celebrated with Kalaratri rituals and pooja. Kalaratri has a special significance as it is celebrated with different rituals. The Kathmanduites, on this day, visit different Shaktipeeths including Guhyeshwari, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Bhadrakali, Naxal Bhagawati, Shobha Bhagawati, Vijeshwari, Indrayani, Raktakali, Vajrayogini, Sankata, Vajravarahi, Dakshinakali, Chamunda, Sundrimai, Bhatbhateni, Bagalamukhi and other Shaktipeeths outside the valley.

On this day, people perform pooja on their weapons, machinery and means of transportation, which are also specially sanitized and worshipped at the place where the goddess is installed. Today, it is also customary to worship crabs, ghiraula, kuvindo, radish coconut etc. in the puja room according to their family tradition.

Today is also the festival of Mahanavami. By performing the tasks related to Durga Puja done on the day of Mahanavami, the deposits kept on the day of Ghatasthapana are offered in different Shaktipeeths. The temple of Taleju Bhawani in the Hanumandhoka Palace area, which opens only once a year on the day of Mahanavami, opens today. Taleju Bhawani is brought to the original chowk of Hanumandhok Palace on the day of Phulpati. Taleju Bhavani will be returned to the original temple only in the morning on the day of Vijayadashami. The festival of Vijayadashami is celebrated tomorrow, the main day of the Dashain festival.
People’s News Monitoring Service. 

Source : https://www.peoplesreview.com.np/2024/10/11/maha-asthami-and-maha-navami-pooja-today/