Nepal, Oct. 19 -- Devotees have thronged Goddess shrines and temples across the country, including in the Kathmandu Valley, to observe Maha Ashtami, the ninth day of Bada Dashain.

As the lunar calendar has extended the festival date, devotees have visited Shakti shrines and temples dedicated to Goddess Durga, including Guheshwari and Maitidevi, to offer prayers and perform rituals, as Maha Ashtami is being observed for a second consecutive day.

In the Kathmandu Valley, large numbers of worshippers visited shrines such as Kalikasthan, Naxal Bhagawati, Bhadrakali, Shobha Bhagawati, Bijeshwari, Indrayani, Raktakali, Shwetakali, Chamundamai, Sundarimai, Bajrayogini, Taleju Bhawani and Tokha Chandeshwari, among others, to worship the goddess...