Women devotees throng Mithilanchal temples to offer Khoicha on Maha Ashtami (photo feature)

Devotees going ot the Rajdevi Temple to offer Khoicha. All photos: Birendra Raman

JANAKPURDHAM: Hundreds of female devotees gathered at major Shakti Pithas, sacred Hindu pilgrimage shrines dedicated to Aadi Shakti, across Mithilanchal from early Sunday morning to offer Khoicha to the goddess on Maha Ashtami, a major day of Bada Dashain.

Long queues of women formed at prominent religious sites, including Rajdevi Temple in Janakpurdham, Ramanand Chowk and Pidariyamai Sthan, to perform the traditional offering. Men also visited the temples to offer Prasad.

In the Mithila tradition, women offer Khoicha to the goddess, while men present Prasad. At some Shakti Pithas, where Nisha Puja is performed at night, devotees offer Khoicha in the morning. The ritual has continued since early morning at most other shrines.