Public holiday in Gandaki province on occasion of Chaite Dashain
KATHMANDU, April 16: Chaite Dashain is being celebrated today. Today, Hindus are celebrating Chaite Dashain by gathering at their homes and Shakti Peethas and worshiping Durga Bhawani.
Every year, the day of Chait Shukla Ashtami is celebrated by Hindus as Chaite Dashain. Mahakali is worshiped on the eighth day of Chaitra Navadurga, which starts from the day of Chait Pratipada.
Maha Astami and Maha Nawami festival being observed today
Dashain, celebrated twice a year (in Ashoj and Chait), symbolizes the triumph of divine power over demonic forces and truth over falsehood. While Ashoj Dashain is known as "Badashain," Chaite Dashain is celebrated on Chait Shukla Ashtami.
Devotees have flocked to various Shaktipeeths nationwide since morning, offering prayers to Mahakali in Dashain Ghar.
On Chaite Dashain, Bhadrakali, Sobha Bhagawati, Dakshinkali, Guheshwari, Sankata, Naxal Bhagavati in Kathmandu, as well as Manakamana in Gorkha, Gorakhkali, Palanchok Bhagavati in Kavre, Bindabasini in Pokhara, Kalika Temple in Baglung, Rajdevi Temple in Janakpur, and Chinnamasta Temple in Saptari, among others, witness an influx of worshippers.
The Gandaki province government has declared a public holiday across the province today on the occasion of Chaite Dashain.
All government offices, educational institutions, and public institutes in the province have been granted a holiday on Chait Shukla Ashtami, as announced by the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers.
The decision to grant holidays on various festivals and occasions in Gandaki was made during a meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 22, with the Cabinet's decision subsequently published in the Provincial Gazette, according to Prabin Dhakal, Deputy Secretary of the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers.
