The plan
- MorningShobha Bhagwati temple by the Bishnumati river, one of the city's busiest Durga temples today.
- AfternoonPatan Durbar Square, then lunch at a Newari restaurant nearby.
- EveningStay central. Tonight is Kal Ratri, the "black night".
Culture & customs
Ashtami is the most intense day of Durga worship. Temples receive offerings of goats, ducks, chickens and buffalo, and the meat is later cooked as a blessed feast. That night is Kal Ratri, when the most important sacrifices take place at Hanuman Dhoka.
It can be a lot to see. You don’t have to watch, and you shouldn’t photograph up close.
From earlier visits
Photos and video from Dashain 2025, Maha Ashtami 2025. Tap to open.
Goats for sale on the street, a few days before Ashtami 
Meat with mustard greens and tomato, a Dashain meal cooked at home 
Young buffaloes marked with red powder in a temple courtyard on Maha Ashtami 
Stalls and temples of Durbar Square on Ashtami night 
Newari snacks and meat curry on Maha Ashtami 
Kal Bhairav at Kathmandu Durbar Square on Maha Ashtami night 
Oil lamps for Kal Bhairav, Maha Ashtami night 
Maha Ashtami night in Kathmandu Durbar Square 
Guardian lions on the temple steps, Ashtami night
What happened
Not written yet.What actually happened on 18 October goes here, with photos, on the day.