News
No animal sacrifices this year despite being a daily feature to date
Head Priest of the Chilaw Bhadrakali Amman Temple said that temple authorities perform a symbolic sacrifice daily during poojas, whenever their devotees offer animals, but the kovil will not go ahead with the main ritual this year.
The annual animal sacrifice ritual this year did not take place following a request by President Mahinda Rajapaksa not to hold it during the exposition of the Kapilavastu Buddha relics.
Mervyn Silva used to offer prayers at the very same kovil
Head Priest Sivapatha Sundaram yesterday said they did not sacrifice cows, which, according to Hindu tradition is considered to be sacred, and denied claims by animal welfare organisations that cows were being sacrificed at poojas. “The sacrifice cannot be banned, as there is no law to issue a ban. If the government has to ban, then measures should be taken to stop the daily merciless killings taking place in slaughterhouses,” he said.
Mr. Sundaram said that the growing popularity of the temple and religious harmony among communities who participate in the rituals, are the main reasons for this controversy to occur.
When asked why the animal and symbolic sacrifice is compulsory at the temple, he said that it is necessary to please the god of evil forces, Parvati (Kali), in order to keep a balance between good and bad.
According to the priest, he represents the 12th generation in taking care of temple affairs, and annual sacrifice has been taking place all along.
He said the temple has been visited by many politicians including Mervyn Silva who has offered prayers to the deity, but now has taken center stage to ban the animal sacrifice.
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