Besides flying kites, staying together with your family, having delicious food, and waiting for your turn to play ‘Linge ping’, there’s another important feature of Dashain that makes this festival even more interesting. Visiting different places of pilgrimage to pay the homage to Goddess Durga, residing in her various incarnations, is an age-old tradition.
As told by Guru Bijaya Sharma Rajopadhyaya, “Bada Dashain, the tenth day of Dashain, is a day to celebrate the nine-day worship and receive oblation. From the day of Ghatasthapana to the tenth day, also known as Bada Dashain, different forms of goddess Durga is worshipped so as to glorify the feminine power and divinity.” There are a lot of temples, dedicated to goddess Durga, within Kathmandu which one can visit during this festival.
Chamunda Bhagawati temple: Chamunda Bhagawati, situated in Shankhamul, Kathmandu, is visited mostly on Ghatasthapana, the first day of Dashain. Chamunda Bhagawati is worshipped on this day.
Former President Bhandari pays homage to Goddess Linga Bhairawi
Shova Bhagwati temple: Located in Shova Bhagwati, Kathmandu, this temple sees the maximum number of devotees on the second day of Dashain. On this day, Lutidevi is worshipped.
Gokarneshwor Bhagawati temple: On the third day of Dashain, devotees pay their homage and offerings to goddess Gokarneshwor Bhagawati. This temple is located in Gokarna, Kathmandu.
Janaleshwor Bhagawati temple: Goddess Janaleshwor Bhagawati is worshipped on the fourth day of Bada Dashain. Situated in Kalmochan, Kathmandu, Janaleshwor Bhagawati temple welcomes a good deal of devotees on Chaturthi.
Manamaijudevi Bhagwati temple: Goddess Manamaijudevi Bhagawati is worshipped on the fifth day of Bada Dashain. This temple is located at Pachali, Kathmandu.
Batsaladevi Bhagwati temple: On the sixth day, or Khasthi of Bada Dashain, the devotees of goddess Durga visit the Batsaladevi temple to worship Batsaladevi Bhagawati. This temple is located at Tokha, Kathmandu.
Kankeshwari Bhagwati temple: On the eighth day, or Ashtami of Dashain, goddess Kankeshwari is revered by the followers of goddess Durga. This temple is located in Teku, Kathmandu.
Guheshwari Bhagwati temple: On the ninth day, or Nawami of Bada Dashain, Goddess Guheshwari is worshipped. Visitors from many places visit Guheshwori Bhagawati temple to celebrate the Mahanawami on this holy day. This temple is located in Dhoka Tole, Kathmandu.
