Balangir

Sulia Jatra: Annual Animal Sacrifice Ritual Begins In Odisha’s Balangir

By
OB Bureau

Balangir: Thousands of tribals gathered at Khairguda under Tusura police limits on Tuesday to celebrate the annual ‘Sulia Jatra’.

Predominantly a festival of animal sacrifice, the villagers believe that spilling of blood of animals and birds at the alter of Goddess Sulia brings good harvest and prosperity.

Thousands of birds and animals were sacrificed amid tight security arrangements at Bada Khala in Khairguda and Sana Khala in Kumuria village of Deogaon block of the district.

Khairguda is the citadel of the celebration where at the altar of Sulia Budha, the presiding deity is situated. The ritual started in the morning hour in adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

The villagers took out a procession to the ritual site where the traditional weapons were also worshipped on the occasion.

The participants have been directed to maintain social distancing and use masks at all times.

Four platoons of police force have been deployed at the festival ground to maintain law and order. All those taking part in the festival like priests and servitors had to undergo RT-PCR tests before the beginning of the event and only those testing negative were allowed, informed sources.

For the last few years, following an Orissa High Court directive, the district administration had been taking steps to abolish the gory practice.

But after the Supreme Court in its verdict stated that the rituals and traditions of the tribals must be respected, the district administration backed out, limiting its role to ensure law and order at the festival site.

Animal sacrifice has been practised since ages by the Kandha tribe. Eight sub-castes of the community too practise the tradition, which is believed to be at least 500 years old, stated reports in The New Indian Express.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Odisha Govt Hands Over Case Of Attack On Dharmasala MLA To Crime Branch

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has handed over the investigation into the attack on Dhramasala MLA…

November 24, 2024

Commissionerate Police Issues Traffic Advisory During Winter Session Of Odisha Assembly; Details Here

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate of Police on Sunday issued an advisory for movement of vehicular traffic…

November 24, 2024

Elon Musk Proposal: Fire US Federal Employees Who Want To Work From Home

New York: Now that President-elect Donald Trump has tasked Elon Musk with the responsibility of co-heading…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Warns Of Stern Action For Renting Out Its Quarters

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has warned its employees of stern action for sub-letting their allotted…

November 24, 2024

AR Rahman Best Man In The World, Certifies Saira Banu; Then Why Their Separation?

Mumbai: There has been a lot of talk over AR Rahman and his wife Saira…

November 24, 2024

Process On To Form NODC In 2-3 Months, Says Odisha CM Mohan Majhi

Sundargarh: The North Odisha Development Council (NODC) would be formed in 2-3 months, said Chief…

November 24, 2024

Odisha DGP Reviews Security Arrangements For President’s Visit To Puri

Puri: Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania on Sunday reviewed the security arrangements for…

November 24, 2024

KISS-DU Convocation Honours 3 Eminent Personalities; 8 PhD Degrees Awarded

Bhubaneswar: Three eminent personalities were conferred honorary D.Litt degrees for their outstanding academic excellence and…

November 24, 2024