Mahanawami: long queues at Taleju temple, open only one day a year, vehicles worshipped at Bhadrakali

The Taleju Bhawani temple at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar area in Kathmandu has been opened to the public today on the occasion of Mahanawami.

Long queues of devotees formed from early morning for darshan at the temple, which opens only on this one day of the year. According to Jayanti Shrestha Pradhan, chief of the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Conservation Office, the temple will remain open from 5 am to 6 pm.

The office said Taleju Bhawani, who was brought to the Mul Chowk of the palace on the day of Phulpati, will be returned to the main temple at the auspicious time of Bijaya Dashami tomorrow. Daily worship continues at the temple even on days it is closed to the public.

Crowds of devotees have also gathered at the Taleju temple in Bhaktapur today. Popular belief holds that the goddess grants darshan only once a year, linked to a legend involving King Jayaprakash Malla.

Meanwhile, crowds have gathered at the Bhadrakali temple premises to worship vehicles. Drivers and vehicle owners applied tika and performed puja on motorcycles, cars, taxis, and buses. There is a tradition of worshipping tools, machinery, and vehicles on Mahanawami.

Today, the ninth day of Navaratri, marks worship of Siddhidatri Devi, the final form of Nawadurga. Special puja is being held today at Dasainghar and Kot at Hanuman Dhoka and at Shaktipeeths across the country. Crowds have also gathered at Dharan's Budhasubba temple and the Shaktipeeth in Gulmi. Devotees come to Budhasubba even from Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Bhutan.