Hundreds of animals sacrificed in Orissa temples

Kendrapada (Orissa)-- Nearly 250 animals, including goats and buffaloes, were sacrificed at two Orissa temples in Kendrapada district Friday by villagers who believe this offering would fetch them blessings and protect them from disasters.

While around 200 animals were sacrificed at the Panchubaraha Temple near Satbhaya village, around 50 were killed at the Maabudhigagulei Temple at Osanagara, said a senior police official.

He added that the animal sacrifice took place despite huge protests by animal rights activists.

People from over a dozen villages have gathered at these two temples since time immemorial to sacrifice animals on the seventh day of the auspicious Navratri period.

"Sacrificing animals has been their family tradition for generations and the administration is helpless. The number of buffaloes has gone down because of this ritual," said a villager.