SOCIETY

Animal sacrifice continues in Orissa village

     Bargarh (Orissa): Despite attempts by the authorities to eradicate the heinous custom, superstitious villagers continue to sacrifice animals at the temples in Barahaguda village in Orissa's Bargarh district. About two hundred goats and seven hundred hens were sacrificed during Dussera Daswri observed on the day of Purnima (full moon) at the Devi temple in the village. "The animal sacrifice is an age old tradition. Devotees get their wishes fulfilled by sacrificing animals. So they are doing it. Every year, hundreds of goats and hens are sacrificed in the temple," said Dabral Dehury, priest at the Devi temple. A large number of villagers from the nearby village visit the temple to observe the custom. "I have seen since my childhood that this animal sacrifice has been in practice. We also want the practice to be stopped but we don't know how to do it as it directly affects the sentiments of the people here," said Tilagram Pradhan, a villager. On their part, police officials contend that it is an old tradition and can't be eliminated without the help of locals. "It should be stopped. Police and administration only cannot stop this, until the general public will not be aware of the evil practice," said P.K.Bhoi, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Bargarh. The man who slaughters the animals with his chopping sword says that sacrificing animals has been his family tradition for centuries and his source of living. Until a few decades ago, devotees used to offer buffaloes but now they offer goats and hens.
-Oct 8, 2006

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