Every five years, the Gadhimai Festival in Nepal becomes the site of one of the world’s most horrific spectacles.

Tens of thousands of animals are brutally slaughtered in a ritual that has been part of this event for over two centuries. Despite widespread international outcry, legal rulings, and efforts by activists, the slaughter continues almost unabated¹.

A Tradition Rooted in Suffering

At the Gadhimai Temple in Bariyarpur, Nepal, this festival is held in honor of the Hindu goddess Gadhimai, revered as the goddess of power. Devotees believe that offering animal sacrifices will bring prosperity, protection from evil, and fulfill their deepest wishes². In the days leading up to the festival, animals are crammed into overcrowded enclosures, deprived of food and water, awaiting their gruesome fate. The sight of these terrified creatures, many of them imported illegally from across the Indian border, is heartbreaking. The killing spree begins with the sacrifice of a few animals, followed by the mass slaughter of thousands, all in the name of tradition³.

The Legal Battle and Its Shortcomings

The Supreme Court of Nepal ruled in 2015 that the government must take action to discourage the practice of animal sacrifice⁴. However, enforcement has been weak, and the ritual killings continue, largely unchecked by authorities. Temple officials claim they cannot stop the sacrifices due to the overwhelming devotion of the people, but this is no justification for allowing such inhumane practices to persist.

The Push for Compassionate Alternatives

Animal rights activists have tirelessly campaigned against this massacre, and their efforts have not been in vain. The number of animals sacrificed in 2019 was lower than in previous years, but the scale of the killing remains alarming⁵. Activists from organizations like Humane Society International and the Federation of Animal Welfare Nepal have called for an end to the bloodshed, urging the government to enforce existing laws and promote more humane alternatives. Yet, the Gadhimai Temple Trust and government bodies have failed to fully implement the necessary changes⁶.

Your Voice Can Make a Difference

The time for change is now. We must raise our voices against this needless cruelty. Tradition should not be a reason to inflict suffering on innocent animals. There are compassionate ways to honor cultural practices that do not involve such brutality. We believe that with enough public pressure, the Nepalese government, the Supreme Court, and the Gadhimai Temple Trust can be persuaded to enforce the ban on animal sacrifice and end this bloodshed once and for all.

Your voice matters. By signing this petition, you are sending a clear message that the world will no longer stand by and watch as animals are needlessly slaughtered. Together, we can push for a future where compassion triumphs over cruelty, where cultural traditions evolve to reflect our growing understanding of the value of all living beings.

Call to Action

Sign the petition now and join us in demanding that the Gadhimai Festival become a symbol of compassion rather than suffering.

More on this issue:

1. ABC News (3 December 2019), "Sword-wielding butchers slaughter thousands of animals to honour Hindu goddess Gadhimai in Nepal."
2. Arun Budhathoki, Hannah Ellis-Petersen, The Guardian (3 December 2019), "Nepal animal sacrifice festival pits devotees against activists."
3. BBC News (3 December 2019), "Gadhimai: Nepal's animal sacrifice festival goes ahead despite 'ban’."
4. The Kathmandu Post (9 December 2019), "Animal rights activists decry mass slaughtering at Gadhimai."
5. Al Jazeera (3 December 2019), "Gadhimai: Nepal’s mass animal slaughter begins despite outcry."
6. Animal Equality (19 February 2020), "Investigation: Animal Sacrifice Continues at Gadhimai Temple."