Go To:  Index File

Badhoji festival: Animals sacrificed for prosperity

          Devthi: Devotees flocked to Devthi village near Shimla to participate in the three-day long 'Badhoji' festival. Dozens of sheep and goats are sacrificed to impress local deities in the hope of bringing good luck and prosperity to the region. The three-day long festival concluded on Sunday as the animal sacrifice continued atop the Kaleshwar Devtas temple. During the late 19th century, the British colonial rulers had banned human sacrifice and since then sacrifice of goats and sheep are held to impress the deities. Amidst drumbeats villagers danced carrying the seven local deities in a procession across the village. Locals here believe that the deities dance along with the devotees showering blessings on them during the procession. Some devotees pierce their cheeks with needles to appease the deities. "The ceremony is organised in honour of seven deities. Six are from outside and one is a local from the village. The objective of the ceremony is to maintain peace and prosperity in the region and the successful completion of stalled work. Till this ceremony is carried out auspicious ceremonies in the area cannot be completed," said Shravan Kumar, a local. According to century old traditions, after "Bhunda Narmegh" festival, held in December, all development activities including marriages are stopped for the next six months. The activities resume only after the "Badhoji" festival. "The Badhoji is being held six months after the Bhunda that was held here. It's an ancient religious ritual and we would like to carry it forward," said, Neha Sharma, another local. Prayers are offered to the local deities before the mock sacrifice. Folk dancers equipped with swords, guns and sticks perform during the festival. The ritual is one among hundreds of rare and ancient rituals still being followed across the country.
- May 13, 2007

Previous File                               Current File