Bhawanipatna, Oct 11: Despite repeated appeals by the administration to desist from animal sacrifice, hundreds of goats and hens were slaughtered to "appease" Maa Manikeswari during the annual ‘Chhatar Jatra’ here in Kalahandi district of Odisha on Friday.

Every Mahastami, the 8th day of the annual Durga Puja, the streets of Bhawanipatna turn bloodstained as people, both tribal and non-tribals, sacrifice animals in full public view and in presence of the administration, as part of their tradition.

A large number of animals were killed on the road as the procession of Maa Manikeswar, called Chhatar Jatra, began on this morning. While goats and hens were sacrificed, people also released hundreds of doves to mark the occasion, eyewitnesses said.

"People’s religious sentiment is centuries old and the administration has been trying to sensitise them. Though there has been a decline in the number of animals being sacrificed, people still believe in the tradition. It will go away gradually," a senior official said requesting anonymity.

"Kalahandi district magistrate Sachin Power conducted a series of meetings with senior officials, police and public representatives. There was announcement in public address system and social media to desist people from animal sacrifice. But due to age old believe and tradition it had no impact on devotees," he added.

According to custom, the ‘Chhatar Jatra’ symbolises Maa Manikeswari’s return from Jenakhal after the ritualistic secret puja at midnight to the main temple.

The procession, which began around 4 AM with the beating of drums like ‘Jena Badya’ and ‘Ghumura Badya,’ covered a 3 km distance to the main temple by noon. The event starts with a secret sacrifice of a buffalo, followed by mass animal sacrifice on the streets, a priest explained.

Upon arrival at the temple gate around noon, the procession was received by Maharaja Anant Pratap Deo, a member of the royal family.

Lakhs of people including devotees from neighbouring states like Chhattisgarh took part in the festival. The Jatra was conducted peacefully with the assistance of police and volunteers, the officials said.

As many as 15 platoons (each comprising 30 personnel) of police were deployed to maintain law and order in the town.

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