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Nepal’s Gadhimai festival is the world’s biggest animal sacrifice event held once in five years. It is an age-old practice that has continued for the last three centuries to sacrifice animals during the event. To put an end to this religious practice, the temple trust has taken a significant move and urged all devotees not to bring animals to the event. This would eventually save the lives of millions of animals at Nepal Gadhimai festival.

An age-old practice at Nepal Gadhimai festival

Ram Chandra Shah, the chairman of the trust, stated that, “The Gadhimai Temple Trust hereby declares our formal decision to end animal sacrifice. With your help, we can ensure Gadhimai 2019 is free from bloodshed. Moreover, we can ensure Gadhimai 2019 is a momentous celebration of life.”

“For generations, pilgrims have sacrificed animals to the Goddess Gadhimai, in the hope of a better life. For every life taken, our heart is heavy. The time has come to transform an old tradition. The time has come to replace killing and violence with peaceful worship and celebration,” he added.

Decision welcomed by animal rights activists

The decision was warmly welcomed by animal right activists, who have been campaigning against the religious practice at Nepal Gadhimai festival for a long time now.

Animal Welfare Network Nepal (AWNN) founding member and campaigner against the Gadhimai festival, Manoj Gautam said, “We applaud the temple committee’s decision to end this mass slaughter of innocent animals and hope that they will continue to support us in our future endeavours for protecting animals in the country.”

-Sumana