AFP, BARIYARPUR, NepalHindu worshipers yesterday began killing thousands of buffaloes in reputedly the world’s biggest animal sacrifice, held every five years in a remote corner of Nepal, despite efforts to end the bloodshed. The Gadhimai Festival started in the early hours amid tight security, with the ceremonial slaughter of a goat, rat, chicken, pig and a pigeon. Thousands of worshipers from Nepal and neighboring India have spent days sleeping out in the open and offering prayers ahead of the event in Bariyarpur village, close to the Indian border. An estimated 200,000 animals ranging from goats to rats were butchered during the last two-day Gadhimai Festival in 2014, held in honor of the Hindu goddess of power. However, animal rights advocates have said both government agencies as well as temple committees have failed to implement these rulings.

Source: Taipei Times December 03, 2019 15:56 UTC