Goddess leads devotees in vegetarian sacrifice

Kathmandu, October 7, 2010 – Today the goddess Kali demonstrated a group of fifty devotees how to sacrifice in a Symbolic Puja at Dakchhinkali Temple. “I do not need animal blood. I am happy with fruits and vegetables so please offer me vegetarian sacrifices,” the blue-tongued goddess said before slashing a pumpkin into half.

The devotees followed the fierce looking goddess Kali (played by actor Durga from Shilpee Theater) in sacrificing kubindos and coconuts, in a ritual that according to the campaigners has a firm basis in the country’s ancient traditions.

The puja was organized by AWNN as part of a novel campaign against animal sacrifices that take place during Dasain festival.

Earlier this year AWNN launched a 5-year campaign against animal sacrifice and cruel sports. The homegrown movement was born during Gadhimai festival which saw the killing of some 200,000 animals in the span of 24 hours in November 2009. The campaign is supported by a growing number of spiritual and society leaders, including the well known comedian duo MAHA.

The network is requesting the President, Prime Minister, army and police to cancel state funded animal sacrifices during Dasain. “Nepal is the world’s key implementers of animal sacrifice, a practice that promotes superstition and violence, drains the poor and prevents Nepal from becoming a truly advanced country. Decapitating a bleating buffalo or goat should not be the symbol of the Nepali civilization,” AWNN urges.

AWNN also argues that a vegetarian diet improves people’s health and helps to save the planet. It is believed that 90% of random meat samples in Kathmandu are contaminated with bacteria such as salmonella. As a result, the majority of typhoid cases in city dwellers are caused by infected meat.

Brigitte Bardot pleads with President

French actress Brigitte Bardot has send a letter to President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, pleading to stop the world's largest animal sacrifice at Gadhimai.

'I have dedicated my life to protect animals and the best gift I could receive for this lifelong struggle would be the announcement of the stopping of ritual sacrifice of animals,' Bardot writes. The actress notes that she send a letter to the Prime Minister last year, but never received an answer.

Bardot asks the President how he can tolerate tradition 'that are in fact violent, cruel and inhumane? Bardot: 'I personally find it hard to imagine that your heart can withstand such cruelty, knowing that you, being the Head of the country, are ultimately responsible.'

In a letter to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal the animal rights turned actress notes that 'hundreds of horrified tourists report their disgust at witnessing ritual sacrifices at various festivals in Nepal'.

Last year Bardot promised to support the Prime Minister in bringing animal welfare facilities to the country.

The screen goddess kept her word. Through her foundation the actress supported the construction of sanctuaries for sick and injured dogs and working donkeys, managed by Animal Nepal.