BARIYAPUR, Nepal, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- About 1 million people are expected to visit a remote temple in southern Nepal, where Hindu worshipers plan to slaughter thousands of animals in a ritual sacrifice.
The event is held every five years to honor the Hindu goddess Gadhimai. In 2009, men wielding swords killed an estimated 250,000 buffalo, goats, chickens and sheep over two days. This year, the killing was scheduled to commence early Friday morning and continue into Saturday.
The temple is on the border between Nepal and India. Indian officials have taken measures to stop the flow of animals into Nepal. More than 100 arrests were reported and thousands of animals seized in recent days.
The faithful stream into the temple, sacrificing their own animals to give thanks for blessings in their lives. Videos posted to YouTube depict the slaughter in graphic detail. Gadhimai is revered as the goddess of power.
A contractor has arranged to take the meat and skins from the buffalo, while the buffalo skulls were to be thrown into a pit and worshiped. Meat from smaller animals is donated to villagers and worshipers.
Animal rights activists have called for an end to the sacrifice, saying its organizers are simply cashing in on people's beliefs. Hundreds of police were patrolling the area around the temple to prevent clashes between worshipers and activists opposed to the slaughter.
