KATHMANDU: The Taleju Temple inside the Basantapur Durbar Square complex opens to the public only once a year on Ashwin Shukla Navami, the day of Maha Navami during Dashain, allowing everyone to perform worship and receive blessings.

Taleju Bhawani is revered by the Newar community as their tutelary deity.  She is also worshipped as a divine force or mother goddess and is popularly known as ‘Tulja.’

On the day of Phulpati, Taleju Bhawani is brought to the Mulchowk courtyard of Hanumandhoka Durbar. The deity is returned to the main temple only in the morning of Bijaya Dashami.

On the night of Maha Ashtami, the Kalaratri ritual is performed in Mulchowk with the sacrifice of 54 goats and 54 buffaloes. This tantric ritual is conducted with the belief that it grants the state spiritual power to govern.