KENDRAPARA: Around 130 animals, including goats and lambs, were sacrificed on Friday evening on the occasion of Raja Sankranti festival at the altar of Maa Ramachandi temple at Srirampur village under Pattamundei block of Kendrapara.
A large number of people from nearby villages visited the temple to sacrifice the animals at the temple to propitiate the deities. As per ancient tradition, the animals were first taken to the temple where vermilion was applied on their forehead. Some devotees garlanded the animals before dragging them towards the altar.
“Three decades ago, the devotees used to offer buffaloes before the deities. Now the villagers prefer goats and lambs as they are cheaper. The Goddess needs blood once a year to fulfil the wishes of the devotees. Since time immemorial, a large number of devotees have been sacrificing animals in the temple on the day of Raja Sankranti”, said Trilochana Panda, one of the priests of the temple.
On the other hand, Sudhanshu Parida, an animal rights activist and secretary of district unit of People for Animals, said, “Over the years, we have been trying to pursue the authorities and devotees to stop such gruesome activities but they have not paid heed to our pleas”.
However, Biranchi Das, sarpanch of Srirampur gram panchayat said, “Supreme Court in 2015 had refused to interfere with religious practices and stated that judiciary cannot stop centuries-old tradition of sacrificing animals by different communities. The apex court further stated in its order that a balance must be maintained between law and religious practices. Animal sacrifice is a sensitive matter better dealt by the representatives of the people in the appropriate forums. As per the judgment of the Supreme Court, animal sacrifice during religious festivals is not illegal”, he said.