Dashian rituals record mass animal sacrifices at Shakti Peeths
Summary
Dashain rituals across Nepal include mass animal sacrifices at Shakti Peeths and temples, with goats, buffaloes, ducks, sheep and hens offered during Maha Ashtami and Maha Nawami. Government bodies including the Pension Management Office and Guthi Sansthan manage animals and budgets for ceremonies at sites such as Hanumandhoka, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Pashupati, Kavrepalanchowk and Janakpur.
Key Points
- Dashain is marked not only by Tika and Jamara but also by large-scale animal sacrifices at Shakti Peeths and temples across Nepal.
- Mass sacrificial ceremonies are held at Hanumandhoka’s Taleju Temple and other sites during Maha Ashtami, Maha Nawami and Chaturdashi.
- The Pension Management Office and Guthi Sansthan provide and manage animals and budgets for sacrifices nationwide.
- Temple sites in Kathmandu Valley, Nuwakot, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Pashupati, Kavrepalanchowk and Janakpur receive allocated animals for the rituals.
