Nepal’s ‘barbaric’ animal sacrifice ritual persists despite outcry

Activists estimate as many as 500,000 animals will be sacrificed at Nepal’s Gadhimai Temple this week to honour the Hindu goddess of power

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A Hindu devotee prepares to slaughter buffalos as a offering during the 2019 Gadhimai Festival in Bariyarpur, Nepal. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:00pm, 8 Dec 2024

In Nepal, a centuries-old ritual of mass animal sacrifice is expected to draw tens of thousands of devotees this week as the Gadhimai festival takes place, despite decades of fierce opposition and campaigning by animal welfare groups worldwide to end the practice.

Buffaloes, goats, chickens, pigs, ducks, and even mice will be slaughtered at the Gadhimai Temple in the small border town of Bariyapur from Sunday to Monday to appease the Hindu goddess of power as part of the larger month-long festival, which is held once every five years.

Attracting devotees from both Nepal and India, the Gadhimai festival is thought to be the world’s largest ritual animal sacrifice. Images from the event showing sword-wielding men killing thousands of creatures have drawn global condemnation.

Activists estimate some 500,000 animals could be slaughtered this year, double the amount from the previous two festivals.

Arkaprava Bhar, senior manager of government affairs at the non-profit Humane Society International India, said witnessing the animal slaughter at previous festivals was upsetting. Activists have described the scenes as a “bloodbath”.

Buffaloes lined up to be slaughtered during the 2019 Gadhimai festival. Photo: Humane Society International

“The entire area was filled with buffalo heads and blood,” he said. “It was barbaric and unhygienic, which could have public health risks. There were many children witnessing the sacrifices, which could be traumatic for them.”