<p>The ninth day of the Bada Dasain festival Mahanawami&nbsp; is being observed throughout the country today. </p><p>Animal sacrifices and special offerings are made at homes and the shrines of various goddesses and Shaktipeeths today. </p><p>Since early morning today, a large number of devotees visit the temples of goddesses Mahakali, Shri Mahalaxmi and Durga Bhagawati. </p><p>Devotees also throng the shaktipeeths of Dakshinkali, Guheshwari, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Naxal Bhagawati, Bhadrakali, Shobha Bhagawati, Bijyeshwori, Indrayani, Naradevi, Bajrabarahi, Raktakali, Bajrayogini and Sankata and offer prayers and sacrifices. </p><p>The festival is considered to be of special importance because goddess Chamunda had slain the Raktabij demon on this day of Mahanawami. </p><p>Chicken, ducks, goats, sheep and buffaloes are sacrificed in this festival. Vegetarians offer coconuts, radish, bottle-gourds, etc. </p><p>Machinery, arms and vehicles are cleaned and offered sacrifice on Mahanawami, the last day of Nawaratri. </p><p>Thousands of devotees offer worship at the Taleju Bhawani temple at Hanumandhoka. This temple is opened only once a year on the day of Mahanawami. </p><p>The worship of Sri Durga Bhawani at Dashainghars over nine days concludes formally on the day of Bijaya Dashami .<br></p>

<p>National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is open for half a day even during ths festive season for the convenience of the general public.</p><p>NHRC spokesperson Mohana Ansari informed that the NHRC's central, regional and sub-regional offices and the complaint units at these offices are open from 11 am to 2 pm everyday during Dasain, Tihar and Chhath holidays in view of the protection of the human rights of the general public.</p><p>Ansari said monitoring will be carried out regarding the violation of human rights and atrocities as well as serious incidents of rights infringement as per the need during this period.<br><br></p>

<p>Nepal Army (NA) has launched cost-free bus services in eight designated routes within the Kathmandu Valley to alleviate the usual travel hassle faced by the passengers during the Bada Dashain festival. </p><p>The national army is operating eight buses at eight routes straddling multiple locations of the capital city which will continue until the day of Ekadashi. The vehicles will run two trips at 12 noon and 4 pm on Nawami and Vijaya Dashami, and three trips on Ekadashi day with additional trip to start at 6 am. </p><p>As part of the free bus service, the first route starts from Maitighar and runs through Naya Baneshwor, Koteshwor, Ekantakuna, Balkhu, Kirtipur, Kalimati, Tripureshwor to end at Ratna Park. </p><p>The second route will run through Bhadrakali, Jamal, Narayangopal Chowk, Budhanilkantha, Balaju, Sohrakhute, Kantipath and end at Maitighar whereas the third route passes through Maitighar, Kalanki, Thankot, Swoyambhu, Chauni, Tahachal, Teku with final destination at Thapathali. The fourth route starts from Maitighar and runs through Tinkune, Gaushala, Jorpati, Narayangopal Chowk, Lazimpath to Kantipath. <br><br>The fifth route starts from Thapathali and passes through Kupondole, Pulchowk, Jawalakhel, Saatdobato, Chapagaun, Tinkune, Baneshwor and Sahid Gate. The sixth route starts from Thapathali and passes through Kupondole, Pulchowk, Jawalakhel, Ekantakuna, Balkhu, Kalanki, Kalimati, Tripureshwor, Sahid Gate with final destination at Ratna Park. </p><p>Likewise, the seventh route runs starts at Maitighar and runs through Koteshwor, Surya Binayak and returns to Maitighar through the same route backward. The eight route starts from Sahid Gate and runs through Kalimati, Chauni, Swoyambhum, Gongabu, Samakhusi with final destination at Ratna Park. </p><p>NA Spokesperson, Tara Bahadur Karki, said the army launched the free bus service to provide festive time facilities to the commuters. A single bus has the capacity to load 30 to 40 passengers at a time.<br></p>