In the small town of Bariyarpur, Nepal, a unique and deeply controversial festival takes place every five years. Known as the Gadhimai festival, it involves the mass sacrifice of animals in honor of the Hindu goddess Gadhimai, a ritual believed to bring prosperity and protection to her devotees. However, this tradition has become a flashpoint between religious practice and animal welfare concerns.
The origins of the festival trace back over 250 years, when the founder of the temple claimed to have had a vision of the goddess demanding blood. Over time, the event has grown, with thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India traveling to the temple.
Once a human sacrifice was reportedly part of the ritual, but animals now bear the brunt of this age-old practice. Devotees sacrifice everything from rats to water buffalo, believing this offering fulfills their wishes.
Despite its cultural and religious significance, the festival has drawn criticism from animal rights advocates worldwide. Critics argue that the sheer scale of the sacrifice—historically involving millions of animals—is unparalleled in its cruelty. Arkaprava Bhar from Humane Society International described it as unmatched in its level of brutality, contrasting it sharply with regulated meat industries.
Efforts to curtail the ritual have intensified over the past decade. Court orders in both Nepal and India have attempted to halt illegal animal transport and reduce the number of sacrifices.
Activists have also initiated grassroots campaigns to educate communities about the ethical and health concerns associated with the festival. Sneha Shrestha of the Federation of Animal Welfare Nepal lamented that despite these efforts, government officials remain largely uncooperative, with some even supporting the practice.
The temple reportedly profits from the festival by charging fees for sacrifices and selling animal byproducts, leading some to accuse it of exploiting impoverished devotees.
Yet, many locals maintain that the ritual is a vital part of their faith, and the demand for sacrifices remains robust.
This article by Trinity Sparke was first published by One Green Planet on 11 December 2024. Image Credit :Cezary Wojtkowski/Shutterstock.
