new delhi, Sept 30
Despite groundswell of opinion against the age-old sacrifice custom, animals were slaughtered en-masse during the Chhatar Yatra festival in Odisha’s Kalahandi district in the early hours of Tuesday.
The famous Chhatar Yatra of presiding deity Maa Manikeswari, was carried out along a three-kilometre route in Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters township located in the western part of the State.
The journey of the Goddess was marked by sacrifices of animals, mainly goats by devotees along both sides of the road as a mark of fulfillment of their wishes.
The ritual, which lasted several hours, was accompanied by the clamour of felled animals. Despite legal provisions, the local administration did not intervene, allowing the centuries-old tradition to continue.
Hundreds of animals with their garlanded necks were put to gallows amid frenzied religious celebration.
There is nothing wrong in the practice as long as it ensures the wellbeing of the natives, residents observed.
Locals defended the practice of en masse sacrifice of animals, stating that it is an annual ritual performed as part of the Shakti cult, and that the Goddess Manikeswari continues to protect the region from natural calamities.
Devotees view the offering of animals as a gesture of reverence, ensuring the safety of life, crops, and livestock.
Elaborate security arrangements were made to maintain law and order during the annual event.
The festival ended peacefully with no untoward incident reported from anywhere, said sources.
