Astamai, Nawami and Vijaya Dashami
Valleyites crowed the Bhadrikali, Dashinkali, Maitidevi, Kalikastan, Nardevi, Naxal Bhagawati, Indryayeni, Kankeshwori, Bagalmukhi, Sankata and Mahakal; the famous shakti-pithas, divine power centres in Kathmandu valley.
The night of Mahaastami is called Kalaratri- a night of Goddess Bhadrakali and Mahakali.
The special worship is performed at the Nauajimas- nine mother goddesses and the Astamatrikas- the eight mother Goddess; the saviors of Kathmandu valley on this day.
The night of Mahaastami is called Kalratri- the sacred night of Goddess Kali- the ferocious manifestation of Goddess Durga. There are four sacred nights described in the Hindu scriptures; Kalratri, Mohratri, Sukharatri and Shivaratri. Among them Kalratri is the most important one for the Shakta tantriks. But the Shaiva tantriks also perform secret ritual and offer sacrifices to please the Goddess on this night.
A grand tantrik ritual of sacrifice is organised at the Hanuman Dhoka Dashain Ghar also on this night. The government arranges the special worshipping ceremony and the sacrifices.
Sacrificing various goats, hens, ducks and buffoloes to the Goddess Mahakali and Bhadrikali marks the both days.
Animal sacrifice, though is much debated today but the Hindu Shastras have it that sacrifice does not only mean animal sacrifice, but the sacrifice of animals within oneself like lust, greed, evil within and the negativity in oneself is the real sacrifice.
Many households offer various fruits to the Goddess instead of sacrifice of ducks and goats. But it depends on one’s own belief.
The ancestral goddess of the then Malla kings, Goddess Taleju is worshipped on these two days. Taleju temple by the side of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar in Kathmandu remains closed throughout the year for the public but on Mahaastami and Mahanawami, it is opened for the public. Taleju temple is in the entire three sister cities of valley; Kathmandu , lalitpur and Bhaktapur. Goddess Taleju is kept at Kumari chock of Bhaktapur Durbar Square
for three days starting from the Mahanawami to worship the Goddess. Devotees throng the Taleju temple on these two days in all the three cities of Kathmandu valley.
Valleyites celebrate Syakko Takkyo on Mahanawami worshipping nine girls aged two to nine.
Mahanawami is also celebrated as a day of Bishwokarma, the God of construction. People worship all the mechanical instruments and the machines on this day to honour of God Bishwokarma.
The tenth day is Vijaya Dashami, the day of victory of Ram over the Ravana. On this day Lord Ram, the king of Ayodhya, defeated the Ravana, the king of Lanks, who had abducted Sita.
Ram was fighting Ravana to rescue Sita from his captivity. But Ravana was also very powerful and not easily defeatable. So, on Astami, Lord Ram worshipped Goddess Durga before fighting Ravana. And on the nawami he conquered the Lanka defeating Ravana. Vijaya Dashami is thenceforth celebrated on his victory.
On the tenth day Nepalis put Tika and the jamara, the seeds sown on the Ghatasthapana day and pay visit to the elders and the distant relatives to take tika and blessings.
The elders put red tika on the forehead reciting couplets and bless.
Bhaktapur celebrates this day as Brahmayani fest also. On this day, Kathmanduites celebrate the Khadka Jatra at Maru, Kohiti, Asan, makhan and Tebahal. The Buddhists name this as Paya Hakegu. The mask dance of Pachali Bhairav and astamatrika is also performed in Kathmandu .
People used to take pride and honour to take tika from the King. The whole day people used to queue up outside the Narayan Hiti Royal Palace to take the Tika and blessings from the King. The royal courtiers, ministers and laymen they all used to receive tika from the King.
The visiting to the relatives follows till the fifteenth day namely Kojagrat Purnima.
