This ceremonial jar filled with holy water symbolises the supreme creative power of Devi Durga, the universal mother goddess whom we worship during the entire period of festival. This festivity continues for ten full days. Hence comes the name Dashain meaning the ten-day long celebration.
One of the most fascinating highlights of this festival is the animal sacrifice, which is offered to Devi Durga on the 8th day of Dashain popularly known as Mahashtami. The animals selected for the sacrificial purpose are of five different kinds. They are water buffalos, goats, sheep, chickens and ducks. According to the traditional belief, the water buffalo symbolises anger, goats and sheep stand for lust and stupidity whereas chicken and ducks stand for timidity and apathy respectively.
Some of the important puja materials required for Ghatasthapana ceremony include barley seeds, a holy water jar, a big clay pot, some flowers and of course, the wet sand from the river. The one who is to perform the Ghatasthapana rites must be either the family priest or the eldest person in the family. It is quite interesting to watch the performance of this traditional ritual. First of all the sand is laid at a place chosen for the purpose. Then the ceremonial jar is placed in the middle of it and barley seeds strewn all over with the chanting of hymns to Devi Durga. After this is done the worshipper will cover up the silt by a huge clay pot. The seeds will grow into their full splendour in another few days.
This particular period of nine days is called Nawaratri. It represents the devotees’ deep devotion to Devi. Many believe that this is the best time of the year to evoke Devi to have one’s desire fulfilled. This practice seems to follow the puranic injunctions very strictly.

On the seventh day of Ghatasthapana, the navapatriva for phulpati are carried by the helpers from the Rajkuleshwor Mandir to Bhimeshwor mandir and it ends with small goat sacrifice at outside of the Bhimeshwor Temple. On the eightth day, "Maha Asthami" is the day of great sacrifice. The fervor of worship and sacrifice to Durga and Kali increases. Many people outside from Dolakha town come to sacrifice goats, chicekns, ducks and buffaloes in Bhimeshwor temple, this bhimeshwor temple is also worship as a Devi Durga. Local Dolakhali Newar people do not sacrifice on this day, they sacrifice on Maha Nawami (9th day). Sacrifices are held in almost every house through out the day. The eighth day night of dashin is also observed as "Kal Ratri", the dark night. Hundreds of goats, sheep, chickens, ducks and buffaloes are sacrificed at the Bhimeshwor Temple.