Maha Nawami, Syakutaku

Navratri has brought Fulpati and Ashtami to Mahanavami. On the ninth day of Navratri, we have to prepare for the tika tomorrow. How is Dashain going? Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, many good wishes of Bada Dashain!

 Today is the ninth day of Navratri, today is the day of special worship of Mother Siddhidhatri as the ninth power of Goddess Durga and along with her worship of Goddess Mahalakshmi. Today, it is believed that by worshiping Siddhidhatri as a power, one can achieve perfection that can conquer the whole world and nothing in the world is inaccessible for them. According to the Devi Purana, Shivaji himself has attained perfection due to the infinite mercy of this goddess. The lotus flower is the favorite object of these goddesses sitting over the lion as her wagon. There is a belief that by practicing them, one will attain salvation in both this world and the hereafter, and it is mentioned in the Markandeya Purana that if the Siddhidhatri is pleased and gives a gift as a power, all the desires of the seeker will be fulfilled.

Today is also considered as the day of Vishwakarma, the god of construction and handicrafts. Today is the day of most sacrifices. Today, in places including the Nepal Army Headquarters and the Police Headquarters, special worship of tools, weapons, and vehicles, as well as battle Jungi Nishan and Kot worship are performed.

If it was like Dashain of other times, there would be huge crowds in Shakti Peeths including Dakshinkali, Guheshwari, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Shobhabhagwati, Vijeshwari, Indrayani, Raktakali, Sankata, Bajrayogini, Bajravarahi.

But this year, the Corona tragedy has greatly diminished the brightness of the Dashain, and it is important to celebrate the Dashain as simply as we can because of the possible health risk.

Today, the Taleju Bhavani temple in Kathmandu is open to the public only once a year, although corona terror has prevented crowds and gatherings.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ सिद्धिदात्री रूपेण संस्थिता ।
 नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमस् ।।

As the Siddhidatri Goddess, Savatra Virajman Ambe (Universally present mother, Omnipresent goddesses), I salute you, give me strength.

 Mahanavami's best wishes to all, may Goddess give us all strength and prosperity.

Syakutyaku
After the special worship of Mother Siddhidhatri, the local Newar community of Kathmandu has been celebrating the Goddess since time immemorial by sacrificing goats, chickens, ducks, goats, buffaloes, etc. These days, the locals have been worshiping and sacrificing their family deities and divinities.
Satviks (Vegetarians) offer fruits like coconut, Ash Gourd, banana, sponge gourd, etc. The night between Mahaashtami and Mahanavami is considered as Kalaratri and sacred puja (Gupta Puja) is performed throughout the night.

On the day of Sakutyaku, in some places, chicken, goat, sheep, duck and chicken panchavali are also offered and kot puja and nishan puja are also performed. Today, the local Newa communities also go to the fields with incense, flowers, offerings, etc., and worship the soil and grain plants.

Suyog Dhakal