Hindu devotees in Nepal began slaughtering thousands of animals and birds in a ritual sacrifice on Friday, ignoring calls by animal rights activists to halt what they do as a ritual activity.
Gadhimai Festival, which happens every five years at the Gadhimai Temple of Bariyarpur in Nepal, is said to be the world’s third largest animal sacrificial slaughter. Gadhimai, the goddess of power, is said to bring good luck and prosperity and millions of devotees gather for the festival with animals.
The Hindu festival ended on Friday morning killing more than 6,000 buffaloes. More than two lakh animals, including birds and goats, this festival starts early morning with ‘pancha bali’, the sacrifice of a rat, pig, pigeon and a goat.
Supreme Court of India recently asked the government to stop the illegal movement of animals to Nepal for the ritual.