October 4: The Nepalese society is celebrating Mahanavami or the ninth day of the Dashain festival today (Monday, October 23). This day is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri, who is considered as the embodiment of truth. It is believed that the purpose of her existence is to establish peace in the world. Goddess Mahagauri rides a white oxen and wears a white dress. Mahagauri is the form of Goddess Parvati when she was 16 years old and unmarried.

On this day, devotees also sacrifice buffaloes, goats, lamb, rooster, and ducks.

Others who prefer not to kill animals offer banana or cucumber to the goddess. Hundreds of people flock to the Taleju Bhavani temple at Basantapur Durbar Square on the ninth day of Dashain. This temple which lies to the north of Hanuman Dhoka in the heart of Kathmandu is open for public only on this special day.

Devotees also visit other temples like Guheshwari, Naxal Bhagwati, Kalikasthan, Maitidevi, Bhadrakali, Sankata, Raktakali, Shova Bhagwati, Dakshinkali, Naradevi, Bijeshwari, and Bagalamukhi.

One of the special features of the Dashain festival is the swing. People, especially children, play swing during this festival. There is a belief that one must leave the ground at least once in a year and therefor the people of Nepal opt to play swing as per this belief.

Children also fly kite during the Dashain festival. Culture experts interpret it as a symbolic message to Lord Indra, the God of rain and good harvest, to stop rainfall.