On November 24th and 25th 2009, Nepal held it's two-day ritual slaughter of hundreds of thousands of animals . It was among the world's largest sacrifice of animals. "About 500,000 animals, including 15,000 male water buffalo (up from 12,000 five years ago), around 300,000 birds, goats and sheep, were slaughtered during the event" said Mangal Chaudhary, the head priest of the Gadhimai temple (who is the 10th generation of his family to serve as chief priest). Water buffalo are slaughtered on the first day, and other animals on the second day. Though meat from the sacrificed animals is given to devotees, the hides of water buffalo are taken by the festival management committee to sell. The heads are buried on the temple premises. The animals were sacrificed to the goddess Gadhimai, in thanks for wishes granted. Mangal Chaudhary, said "When people wish for a son, a job, good health or anything else come true, they make an offering to the Gadhimai goddess". "The people who follow these traditions believe that if they discontinue, then the gods will get angry and there could be catastrophe in the country".

The ceremony began with prayers in a temple by tens of thousands of Hindus before dawn Tuesday. Then it shifted to a nearby corral, where in the cold morning mist, scores of butchers wielding curved swords began slaughtering buffalo calves by hacking off their heads. "This is a matter of people's religion and belief," said chief district officer Tara Nath Gautam, the highest-ranking government official in Bara. "We will not stop this centuries-old tradition now. This is our religion, belief and tradition and we will continue with it no matter what," said Motilal Kushwa of the organizing committee. The animal sacrifice in the Gadhimai festival is carried out mostly by Indians from Bihar state, where any animal sacrifice is prohibited around the Bodhgaya periphery where Gautam Budhha attained nirvana. "They continue these animal sacrifice rituals because they believe it is a tradition that can't be broken," said Ram Bahadur Chetri, an anthropology professor at Katmandu's Tribhuwan University. Government officials say they cannot stop the centuries-old tradition, despite opposition from Animal Rights Activists from Nepal, India and Worldwide.

Ram Bahadur Bamjan, a Nepalese teenager revered by many as a reincarnation of Buddha, has joined the campaign against the animal slaughter. Bamjan visited the festival area to appeal directly to participants to stop the sacrifices. Animal Rights Activists say they aren't looking for a sea change. "We do not expect this practice to stop overnight. A sustained effort is needed so that, sometime, the practice will end," said Nepali Animal Rights Activist Pramada Shah. "We were unable to stop the animal sacrifices this year but we will continue our campaign to stop killings during this festival". "The killing of animals in the name of sacrifice is the most serious crime. So it must be stopped immediately," said Rinpoche Sange Rangjung, a Buddhist monk and protest leader. "In no religion are animal sacrifices prescribed". "God never wants bloodshed. Hindu mythologies also don't advocate the animal sacrifice. It is against the Hindu religion", Pokhara based young Hindu priest Kamalnayan Gautam said. International opposition to the sacrifice is rapidly gaining momentum. Nepal is the 12th poorest country in the world. A boycott of Nepal's Trade, Tourism and Merchandise will cripple the economy of the country. If the government cares for the economic future of its people, it should show the moral strength required to stop the sacrifice.

Please Sign The Pledge to Boycott Nepal's Trade, Tourism And Any Product Or Merchandise From Nepal, Until Nepal puts an end to this Barbaric Tradition...

http://animalrights.change.org/actions/view/boycott_all_trade_tourism_and_products_or_merchandise_from_nepal

"Animals Do Not Have A Voice Of Their Own. If We Do Not Stand Up And Speak For Them... Who Will?!"
~ Joan E Loza Mobry


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