Animal Protection Groups Work to Stop Illegal Animal Sacrifices at Gadhimai Festival
Chirag Gupta
Patna: Animal protection organisations Humane Society International/India (HSI/India) and People for Animals (PFA) have called on devotees to refrain from bringing animals for sacrifice at the upcoming Gadhimai festival in Nepal. Teams from these organisations, working alongside the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), are stationed at key checkpoints along the Indo-Nepal border to curb the illegal transportation of animals. Any animals seized will be relocated to safe locations in compliance with Indian law.
The Gadhimai festival, held every five years in Bariyarpur village in Nepal’s Bara district, is recognised as the world’s largest animal sacrifice event. During this historic ritual, thousands of animals, including buffaloes, goats, pigeons, and other creatures, are slaughtered in honour of the goddess Gadhimai.
Arkaprava Bhar, Senior Manager of HSI/India’s Capacity Building Department, who is overseeing the operations, emphasised the importance of protecting animals from the brutal practice. “Our aim is not only to prevent illegal transportation of animals but also to promote compassion in our traditions,” Bhar said. “In the past two days, we have stopped several trucks and vehicles carrying buffaloes and goats, saving these animals from being sacrificed. They are lucky to have survived this horrific experience.”
The operation includes rigorous vehicle inspections conducted with the support of border forces. In addition to direct interventions, the teams have conducted a door-to-door awareness campaign in 12 villages near the border, distributing 3,500 pamphlets in local languages to discourage animal sacrifice.
HSI/India and PFA have been collaborating to reduce animal sacrifice at Gadhimai since 2014. Their efforts have significantly decreased the number of animals sacrificed, from an estimated 5 lakh in 2009 to approximately 2.5 lakh in 2014 and 2019. This includes reducing the number of buffaloes slaughtered to around 3,500.
In 2014, the Supreme Court of India directed the government to halt the illegal cross-border transport of animals for sacrifice. HSI/India and PFA have since implemented action plans to enforce the court’s orders. Despite a 2019 Supreme Court of Nepal ruling banning live animal sacrifice at the festival, the practice persists, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and advocacy.
The Gadhimai festival, which culminates in mass animal sacrifices, is rooted in a 265-year-old tradition. According to legend, the practice began when the goddess Gadhimai appeared in a dream to Bhagwan Chaudhary, the founder of the Gadhimai temple, and demanded a blood offering in exchange for protection and prosperity. The tradition of animal sacrifice has continued every five years since.
The event also poses serious public health risks, exacerbated by poor sanitation and unhygienic conditions. Millions of devotees attend the festival, leaving the site overwhelmed with waste, blood, and animal carcasses, creating a foul atmosphere. Most of the animals sacrificed are transported illegally from India, often without proper export licenses, in blatant violation of the law.
HSI/India and PFA remain steadfast in their mission to save as many animals as possible and advocate for an end to the practice of blood sacrifice, promoting compassion and adherence to legal and ethical standards.
