Nepal’s Gadhimai Festival Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over Mass Animal Sacrifices

Despite activist campaigns and legal rulings, the centuries-old ritual continues with thousands of animals sacrificed in the name of tradition and faith.

• The Gadhimai festival, held every five years in Nepal, saw the sacrifice of thousands of animals, including buffaloes, goats, pigeons, and rats, as part of a religious ritual honoring the Hindu goddess Gadhimai.
• Animal rights activists have criticized the event as cruel and unnecessary, citing unsanitary conditions and the immense suffering of animals, while also rescuing and rehoming over 750 animals this year.
• Efforts to curb the practice include a 2016 Nepal Supreme Court ruling to phase out sacrifices and a 2014 Indian Supreme Court order to stop illegal animal transport across the border, though enforcement remains inconsistent.
• The festival, rooted in a 250-year-old tradition, continues to draw fervent devotees who believe the sacrifices bring prosperity and fulfill personal wishes, making it a deeply entrenched cultural practice.
• Activists report progress in shifting attitudes, with some community members opting for monetary donations instead of animal offerings, though resistance from temple authorities and local leaders persists.

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