The Gadhimai festival in Nepal has sparked widespread condemnation from animal rights activists due to its mass animal sacrifices, which are part of a centuries-old tradition held every five years. During the latest festival, at least 4,200 buffaloes and thousands of goats and pigeons were sacrificed, according to Humane Society International India (HSI). This ritual is believed to please the goddess Gadhimai and bring good fortune to participants.
Despite Nepal's Supreme Court ruling in 2016 to gradually phase out such sacrifices, activists claim progress has been slow. Efforts to end the practice have faced resistance from local communities who view it as integral to their culture. Mayor Shyam Prasad Yadav has stated that the sacrifices are being limited with government cooperation.
Devotees raise their sacrificial blades as the sacrificial ceremony of the "Gadhimai Mela" festival begins at Bariyarpur in Nepal on December 3, 2019. Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters
Activists and organizations, including HSI and the Jane Goodall Institute Nepal, have worked tirelessly to change attitudes through education, awareness campaigns, and border patrol operations to intercept illegally transported animals from India. This year, more than 750 animals, including buffaloes and goats, were rescued. Some temples are also offering monetary donations as alternatives to animal sacrifices.
While significant steps have been made to reduce the scale of the sacrifices, activists emphasize the need for continued efforts. They argue that no animal should die in the name of tradition and are calling for greater enforcement and cultural shifts to protect animal welfare.
