Today is Mahashtami

The eighth day of Dashain festival, the Mahashtami, is being observed today throughout the country with the increase in fervour of worship and sacrifice to Goddess Durga and Kali.

On this day, Hindu devotee throng temples of Goddess Durga. Some of them sacrifice animals such as goats and chicken as an offering to the Goddess. However, on this day many orthodox Hindus will also be fasting.

This is the day when many devotees observe a feast of meat and other delicacies. Sacrifices are carried out in almost every house on Mahasthami. The night between the eighth and the ninth day of Dashain is also observed as Kaal Ratri (dark night) when hundreds of animals are sacrificed in Dashain Ghar in Hanumandhoka.

In recent years, however, animal rights activists have been increasingly advocating for Dashain festival free of animal sacrifices. They have been publicly campaigning for either vegetarianism or, at least, making sure that the animals do not suffer when they are killed. nepalnews.com ag Oct 19 07

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