Kathmandu, Nov 28: Even as the Hindutva outfits in India have launched a massive campaign calling for a ban on cattle slaughter and beef consumption, their counterparts in neighbouring Nepal on Friday started slaughtering lakhs of animals in the name of “ritual”.
Ignoring calls by animal rights activists to halt what is known as the world's largest animal slaughtering ritual, thousands of sword-wielding Hindu devotees are brutally separating heads and bodies of animals at the Gadhimai Mela festival at the village of Bariyapur near the Indian border.
The “devotees” with swords are expected to kill thousands of animals including buffaloes and goats in the two days to “honour” Gadhimai, the “goddess” of “power”.
"We are ready for the festival, everyone is in a celebratory mood," said head Hindu priest Mangal Chaudhary at the slaughter site, wherein thousands of Hindus have gathered for the festival which occurs every five years.
It was estimated 300,000 animals were killed when the ritual was last held in 2009, making it the world's biggest sacrifice of animals at any one site. The goat and chicken flesh is distributed to devotees and villagers, while contractors bid to buy the buffalo and animal hides. This year also the number of slaughtered animals may cross 2.5 lakh according to estimations.
Pools of blood
The festival kicked off at midnight amid tight security, with the ceremonial killing of animals. Some 1,200 police personnel were patrolling the village and the field where sacrifices were taking place to control crowds which have gathered to watch.
Excited devotees attempted to scale a five-foot high (1.5 metre) wall erected around the slaughter site, while police worked to keep the area clear and avert possible clashes between worshippers and activists.
The spectacle leaves pools of blood across the temple grounds, the air thick with the stench of raw meat, while authorities dump buffaloes' heads into a freshly dug large pit.
The goat and chicken flesh is distributed to devotees and villagers, while contractors bid to buy the buffalo and animal hides.
Cashing in on people's beliefs!
Meanwhile, animal rights activists accused temple authorities of cashing in on people's beliefs. "They are extorting money... in the name of entry fees, parking, and so on," said Manoj Gautam, president of Animal Welfare Network Nepal, who is in Bariyapur to protest against the ritual.
According to legend, the first sacrifices in Bariyapur were conducted several centuries ago when Gadhimai appeared to a prisoner in a dream and asked him to establish a temple to her. When he awoke, his shackles had fallen open and he was able to leave the prison and build the temple, where he sacrificed animals to give thanks.
A campaign to ban the festival has attracted support from celebrities including British actress Joanna Lumley and French movie legend Brigitte Bardot, who has petitioned Nepal's president to end the "cruel tradition".
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