Animal rights groups are urging the Nepalese government to end the mass slaughter of animals at the Gadhimai festival, which has seen thousands of animals, including buffaloes, goats, and pigeons, sacrificed as part of religious rituals. The festival, held every five years in Bariyarpur village near the Nepal-India border, is a significant event for devotees who believe that offering sacrifices to the Goddess Gadhimai will bring them good fortune or fulfill their wishes.
The Humane Society International (HSI) estimates that at least 4,200 buffaloes and thousands of other animals were killed during the festival. Despite a 2016 ruling by Nepal’s Supreme Court to phase out animal sacrifices, activists argue that not enough has been done to halt the practice. Shyam Prasad Yadav, the mayor of Gadhimai, defended the event, stating that government officials have been working to reduce the scale of the sacrifices.
While animal rights groups have been campaigning for years to end the practice, they face strong resistance from locals who see the sacrifice as a long-standing tradition. Many in the community, such as Upendra Kushwaha, whose family has participated for generations, believe the sacrifice brings safety and goodwill. However, animal rights groups, including HSI, have called the event a “massacre,” with some describing it as the most horrific ritual they’ve witnessed.
Efforts to reduce the scale of the sacrifices have shown some progress. According to Shristi Bhandari, executive director of the Jane Goodall Institute Nepal (JGIN), the temple has begun offering alternatives, such as monetary donations in place of animal sacrifices, which have been met with increasing acceptance, especially among women.
In addition to local efforts, international campaigns have focused on stopping the smuggling of animals to the festival. Activists have worked with Indian authorities to intercept animals at the border, rescuing more than 750 animals this year alone, including buffaloes, goats, and pigeons.
While progress has been made in raising awareness and offering alternatives to sacrifice, activists argue that the practice must be entirely banned to protect animals from needless suffering. With the border being porous and no official ban in place in Nepal, activists continue to work on the ground to change attitudes and reduce the number of animals sacrificed in future festivals.
