Maha Ashtami (8th Day of Dashain)
To pacify the most demonic manifestation of Durga, Nepalis slaughter animals well into dawn until the whole town is "painted red". The blood is then used to bathe Kali's statues and the meat are cooked and placed in small leaf plates to be distibuted to the poor.
Nawami (9th Day of Dashain)
On this day, buffalos and other animals are slaughtered at the courtyard of Kot in Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace. It is the Nealis' belief that the demons defeated by Durga took the form of buffalo and other animals which destroyed everything in their path. The Armed Forces fire a 21-gun salute while the ritual slaughter is performed. Machines, (sharp) tools of the trade and vehicles are all bathed in blood in the nelief that this will prevent accidents and bloodshed in the coming year.
