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| India-Pakistan |
| 250 animals sacrificed in Kendrapada temple |
| 2007-04-04 |
| I have been surprised that PETA hasn't ruled in on this yet..?? KENDRAPADA: The "holy altar" of Panchubaraha temple at Satabhaya village in Kendrapada's Rajnagar block turned into a virtual pool of blood as around 250 animals were sacrificed on the occasion of Chatya Purnima on Monday. Hundreds of devotees came from nearby villages to watch the "sacred spectacle" of "slaughter", a custom being observed here for years. The animals, which included goats, lambs and a buffalo, were lined up near the sacrificial pole before the mighty stroke of Babaji Dalei's sword did it all, one after another. But the man was unperturbed. "It's a divine duty which was passed on to me after my father died 20 years ago," he said. "It's been a family tradition for generations. In the past, devotees would offer buffaloes. But now, not many can afford the big animal and settle for goats and lambs," said Dalei. Cries of the dying animals drowned in the din of the thronging believers. Some scrambled to touch the flowing blood of the freshly-sacrificed and smear their forehead with it. It's an act, which they believe, will bring good luck. And by the time, the ``sacrifice'' was over, it was time to trudge back home, carrying a carcass or two on a bamboo pole. Many of the devotees came by crossing the Bausagard river on ``unsteady'' boats. So for boatman Sankar Kandi, who "ferried some 2,000 people" on Monday, it was quite a busy but rewarding day. ``I earned about Rs 2,000 and that's pretty decent,'' he said. Despite protests by animal lovers and social activists, Dhani Sauti, a priest at the temple, was unmoved. "It's an old tradition. From time immemorial, devotees have been sacrificing animals in the temple on Chatya Purnima and Saptami during Dussehra. No one has the right to meddle with people's faith," he said. "Why doesn't the administration take steps when hundreds of goats, chickens and other animals are butchered in public places day in and day out? Instead of stopping animal sacrifice in temples, the administration should end cow slaughter,'' the priest added |
| Posted by:Snairong Thrump2405 |