What Is the Gadhimai Festival and Why Is It Controversial?

The Gadhimai Festival, held every five years in southeastern Nepal, is one of the world’s most controversial religious observances, known for the mass slaughter of animals. This quinquennial event, rooted in centuries of tradition, draws hundreds of thousands of Hindus who believe the ritual will appease the Hindu goddess Gadhimai, bringing them prosperity. However, the festival’s massive scale and the cruelty involved have sparked fierce debates between animal rights activists and devotees. Despite legal challenges and public outcry, the festival’s bloodshed continues, raising important questions about the intersection of religion, tradition, and animal welfare.

Key Points on the Gadhimai Festival

Origins and Beliefs

• Founder: Bhagwan Chowdhary, founder of the Gadhimai temple in Bariyarpur, Bara District, Nepal.
• Mythology: According to the legend, Gadhimai, the goddess of power, promised prosperity to Chowdhary in exchange for a blood sacrifice.
• Animal Sacrifice: Initially, human blood was desired, but animal blood was substituted, which became the foundation of the tradition.

Rituals and Scale of the Sacrifice

• Animal Sacrifice: The festival includes the slaughter of a variety of animals, including rats, pigeons, goats, and water buffaloes.
• Estimates: In the 2019 festival, around 250,000 animals were sacrificed. In 2009, the figure was as high as 500,000 animals.
• Involvement: Animals are sometimes brought from India, and the Nepalese government has historically supported the event.

Efforts to End the Sacrifices

• Petitions and Legal Challenges: Animal welfare groups and individuals, including former actress Brigitte Bardot, have petitioned the courts in Nepal and India to stop the festival’s animal sacrifices.

Supreme Court Rulings

• India (2014): The Supreme Court ordered that neighboring Indian states restrict the transport of animals for the Gadhimai festival.
• Nepal (2016): The Supreme Court ruled that the government should phase out and discourage animal sacrifices. However, this ruling has been largely ignored, and the sacrifices continue.

Government Responses

• The Nepalese government has stated that it would not use force to prevent the sacrifices, citing religious sentiments.
• In 2015, temple caretakers promised a blood-free festival in 2019, but the killings went ahead as planned.

Ongoing Debate

• Supporters: Devotees view the Gadhimai festival as an important, untouchable religious tradition essential for gaining blessings from the goddess.
• Criticism: Activists argue the festival exploits both animals and impoverished communities, calling the sacrifices cruel, violent, and inhumane.

Current Status

• 2024 Festival: The animal sacrifices began on December 8, despite ongoing legal and ethical concerns.
• Global Attention: The Gadhimai Festival remains a flashpoint for discussions about animal rights, cultural practices, and the role of religion in modern society.