Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of the Sharadiya Durga Puja, is being celebrated today, Monday (October 19).

Worship of Goddess Durga is underway at Ramakrishna Mission in the capital amid religious rituals. Kumari Puja is a major attraction of the day, as devotees worship a young girl as a manifestation of the divine feminine power.

The day`s rituals include the recitation of Chandi, offering of flowers and other religious ceremonies. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga defeated Kolasura on this day.

As part of the tradition, a girl aged between one and 16 years, possessing auspicious qualities, is worshipped as a goddess. Devotees believe that the divine power of Mahamaya is present in every woman. After the puja, devotees seek blessings from the girl worshipped as the goddess.

At Ramakrishna Mission in the capital, Maha Ashtami rituals, including Kalparambha and Bijoya Puja, began before sunrise. The Kumari was scheduled to be seated for worship at 9:30am, followed by rituals involving the offering of five varieties of sacred food.