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The festival started on 24 November 2009, and the slaughter ended on 25, with the temple's head priest performing two rituals named ''Panchabali'' and ''Narbali''. More than 20,000 buffaloes were sacrificed on the first day.<ref name="nn">{{cite news|url=http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/news-archive/19-general/2577-over-20000-buffaloes-slaughtered-in-gadhimai-festival.html|title=Over 20,000 buffaloes slaughtered in Gadhimai festival |date=25 November 2009|work=NepalNews.com|accessdate=25 November 2009}}</ref> It is estimated that 300,000 to 500,000 animals will be killed during the Gadhimai festival of 2009.<ref name="th" /> The ritual killings were performed by more than 200 men in a concrete [[slaughterhouse]] near the temple.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/25/content_12536544.htm|title= Gadhimai festival begins in central Nepal |last=Xiang |first=Zhang |work=Xinhua News Agency|accessdate=25 November 2009}}</ref> Three infant children of pilgrims who had come to observe Gadhimai festival died due to the [[hypothermia|extreme cold]].<ref name="nn" /> Six people died after drinking adulterated "[[Moonshine|hooch]]".<ref name="toi">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Indians-throng-Nepals-Gadhimai-fair-for-animal-sacrifice/articleshow/5264701.cms|title=Indians throng Nepal's Gadhimai fair for animal sacrifice|last=Sarkar|first=Sudeshna|date=24 November 2009|work=The Times of India|accessdate=24 November 2009}}</ref>
The festival started on 24 November 2009, and the slaughter ended on 25, with the temple's head priest performing two rituals named ''Panchabali'' and ''Narbali''. More than 20,000 buffaloes were sacrificed on the first day.<ref name="nn">{{cite news|url=http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/news-archive/19-general/2577-over-20000-buffaloes-slaughtered-in-gadhimai-festival.html|title=Over 20,000 buffaloes slaughtered in Gadhimai festival |date=25 November 2009|work=NepalNews.com|accessdate=25 November 2009}}</ref> It is estimated that 300,000 to 500,000 animals will be killed during the Gadhimai festival of 2009.<ref name="th" /> The ritual killings were performed by more than 200 men in a concrete [[slaughterhouse]] near the temple.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/25/content_12536544.htm|title= Gadhimai festival begins in central Nepal |last=Xiang |first=Zhang |work=Xinhua News Agency|accessdate=25 November 2009}}</ref> Three infant children of pilgrims who had come to observe Gadhimai festival died due to the [[hypothermia|extreme cold]].<ref name="nn" /> Six people died after drinking adulterated "[[Moonshine|hooch]]".<ref name="toi">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Indians-throng-Nepals-Gadhimai-fair-for-animal-sacrifice/articleshow/5264701.cms|title=Indians throng Nepal's Gadhimai fair for animal sacrifice|last=Sarkar|first=Sudeshna|date=24 November 2009|work=The Times of India|accessdate=24 November 2009}}</ref>


The festival has prompted numerous protests by animal rights activists. In 2009 activists made several attempts to stop the ritual, including [[Brigitte Bardot]] and [[Maneka Gandhi]], who wrote to the Nepalese government asking them to stop the killings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8369740.stm|title= Bardot appeal over animal slaughter at Nepal festival|date=20 November 2009|work=BBC|accessdate=25 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/nov/25/gadhimai-animal-sacrifice-nepal |title= The Gadhimai sacrifice is grotesque |first = Anil |last = Bhanot |date= 25 November 2009|publisher =The Guardian |accessdate=25 November 2009}}</ref> The government had not made any effort to stop the ritual, while an official had commented that they will not "interfere in the centuries-old tradition of the people".<ref name="th">{{cite news|url=http://beta.thehindu.com/news/international/article53883.ece|title=Gadhimai festival begins despite protests in Nepal |date=24 November 2009|work=The Hindu|accessdate=24 November 2009}}</ref> [[Ram Bahadur Bomjon]], claimed by some of his supporters to be the [[List of Buddha claimants|reincarnation of the Buddha]], said that he will attempt to stop the sacrifice at the festival, preaching non-violence and offering a blessing at the place.<ref>{{cite news | title = Sacrifice of 200,000 Animals Proceeds Despite Pleas, Prayers | url = http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2009/2009-11-22-02.asp | publisher = Environment News Service |date=22 November 2009 |accessdate=25 November 2009 }}</ref><ref name=myrepublica>{{cite news| title = Buddha boy fails to turn up at Gadhimai |url = http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=11992 |date=20 November 2009|work=Republica |accessdate=25 November 2009 }}</ref> His promise had prompted the government to send additional forces to prevent any incident, but Bomjan did not show up.<ref name=myrepublica/>
The festival has prompted numerous protests by animal rights activists. In 2009 activists made several attempts to stop the ritual, including [[Brigitte Bardot]] and [[Maneka Gandhi]], who wrote to the Nepalese government asking them to stop the killings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8369740.stm|title= Bardot appeal over animal slaughter at Nepal festival|date=20 November 2009|work=BBC|accessdate=25 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/nov/25/gadhimai-animal-sacrifice-nepal |title= The Gadhimai sacrifice is grotesque |first = Anil |last = Bhanot |date= 25 November 2009|publisher =The Guardian |accessdate=25 November 2009}}</ref> A government official commented that they will not "interfere in the centuries-old tradition of the people".<ref name="th">{{cite news|url=http://beta.thehindu.com/news/international/article53883.ece|title=Gadhimai festival begins despite protests in Nepal |date=24 November 2009|work=The Hindu|accessdate=24 November 2009}}</ref> [[Ram Bahadur Bomjon]], claimed by some of his supporters to be the [[List of Buddha claimants|reincarnation of the Buddha]], said that he will attempt to stop the sacrifice at the festival, preaching non-violence and offering a blessing at the place.<ref>{{cite news | title = Sacrifice of 200,000 Animals Proceeds Despite Pleas, Prayers | url = http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2009/2009-11-22-02.asp | publisher = Environment News Service |date=22 November 2009 |accessdate=25 November 2009 }}</ref><ref name=myrepublica>{{cite news| title = Buddha boy fails to turn up at Gadhimai |url = http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=11992 |date=20 November 2009|work=Republica |accessdate=25 November 2009 }}</ref> His promise had prompted the government to send additional forces to prevent any incident, but Bomjan was not permitted by religious authorities to attend.<ref name=myrepublica/>


After the festival, the meat, bones and hides of the sacrificed animals are sold to processing and tannery companies in India and Nepal.<ref name="BBC" />
After the festival, the meat, bones and hides of the sacrificed animals are sold to processing and tannery companies in India and Nepal.<ref name="BBC" />

Revision as of 10:23, 26 November 2009

Gadhimai festival
Observed byHindus
TypeHindu
SignificanceTo please goddess Gadhimai
ObservancesAnimal sacrifice at Bariyapur, Nepal
2024 datedate missing (please add)

Gadhimai festival is a Hindu festival that is held once every five years at the Gadhimai temple of Bariyapur, in Bara district, about 100 miles (160 km) south of the capital Kathmandu in southern Nepal. The event involves the world's largest sacrifice of animals – including buffaloes, pigs, goats, chicken and pigeons – with the goal of pleasing Gadhimai, the goddess of power.[1]

Description

About 5 million people participate in the festival, the majority of whom are Indian people from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They attend the festival in Nepal to circumvent the ban on animal sacrifice in their own states.[2][3] Participants believe that animal sacrifices for the Hindu goddess Gadhimai will end evil and bring prosperity. [4]

A month before the ritual in 2009, the Nepalese government realised there would be a "severe shortage" of goats for the ritual sacrifice, as well as for the consumption of goat meat during the festival. They began a radio campaign urging farmers to sell their animals.[5]

The festival started on 24 November 2009, and the slaughter ended on 25, with the temple's head priest performing two rituals named Panchabali and Narbali. More than 20,000 buffaloes were sacrificed on the first day.[6] It is estimated that 300,000 to 500,000 animals will be killed during the Gadhimai festival of 2009.[2] The ritual killings were performed by more than 200 men in a concrete slaughterhouse near the temple.[7] Three infant children of pilgrims who had come to observe Gadhimai festival died due to the extreme cold.[6] Six people died after drinking adulterated "hooch".[3]

The festival has prompted numerous protests by animal rights activists. In 2009 activists made several attempts to stop the ritual, including Brigitte Bardot and Maneka Gandhi, who wrote to the Nepalese government asking them to stop the killings.[8][9] A government official commented that they will not "interfere in the centuries-old tradition of the people".[2] Ram Bahadur Bomjon, claimed by some of his supporters to be the reincarnation of the Buddha, said that he will attempt to stop the sacrifice at the festival, preaching non-violence and offering a blessing at the place.[10][11] His promise had prompted the government to send additional forces to prevent any incident, but Bomjan was not permitted by religious authorities to attend.[11]

After the festival, the meat, bones and hides of the sacrificed animals are sold to processing and tannery companies in India and Nepal.[1]

References

Wikinews has related news:
  1. ^ a b Jolly, Joanna (24 November 2009). "Devotees flock to Nepal animal sacrifice festival". BBC. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  2. ^ a b c "Gadhimai festival begins despite protests in Nepal". The Hindu. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  3. ^ a b Sarkar, Sudeshna (24 November 2009). "Indians throng Nepal's Gadhimai fair for animal sacrifice". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  4. ^ "Gadhimai Festival: Nepal Mass Animal Sacrifice Festival To Go Ahead Despite Protests". The Huffington Post. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  5. ^ "Nepal hit by severe goat shortage". BBC. 15 September 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  6. ^ a b "Over 20,000 buffaloes slaughtered in Gadhimai festival". NepalNews.com. 25 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  7. ^ Xiang, Zhang. "Gadhimai festival begins in central Nepal". Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  8. ^ "Bardot appeal over animal slaughter at Nepal festival". BBC. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  9. ^ Bhanot, Anil (25 November 2009). "The Gadhimai sacrifice is grotesque". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  10. ^ "Sacrifice of 200,000 Animals Proceeds Despite Pleas, Prayers". Environment News Service. 22 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  11. ^ a b "Buddha boy fails to turn up at Gadhimai". Republica. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
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