Animal sacrifice banned in Nepal’s Gadhimai festival
New Delhi, July 28
In a significant move that will save the lives of millions of animals, the practice of sacrifice has been banned at Nepal’s Gadhimai festival, the world’s biggest animal sacrifice event held every five years.
The temple trust announced its decision today and urged all devotees not to bring animals to the festival, a religious practice which had been continuing for the last 300 years.
“The Gadhimai Temple Trust hereby declares our formal decision to end animal sacrifice. With your help, we can ensure Gadhimai 2019 is free from bloodshed. Moreover, we can ensure Gadhimai 2019 is a momentous celebration of life,” the chairman of the trust, Ram Chandra Shah, said in a statement.
“For generations, pilgrims have sacrificed animals to the Goddess Gadhimai, in the hope of a better life. For every life taken, our heart is heavy.
“The time has come to transform an old tradition. The time has come to replace killing and violence with peaceful worship and celebration,” he added.
The decision has been welcomed by animal right activists who have been campaigning against the practice. — PTI
