Bariyarpur (Nepal), Nov 25(ANI): Considered as the single largest mass slaughter of animals on earth, priests at a Hindu temple in Nepal sacrificed some 200,000 animals and birds in an ancient ritual to appease gods.

According to organizers, more than 200,000 animals, including buffaloes, goats, roosters and pigeons have been sacrificed during the festival at the Gadhimai temple in Nepal’s Bariyapur village on Tuesday.

“If I give you a rough estimate around 20,000 buffaloes, 30,000-35,000 goats and countless birds and pigeons are flown on this day and most of them are sacrificed on the 7th day,” said Mahesh Jha, a temple priest.

The animals are sacrificed to goddess Gadhimai From Bariyapur in the temple.

“I am an educated woman, but I have believe in this ritual from the past and would continue to believe it in future as well. Our Goddess has given everything and it should be given back to her. This has been continuing since many years and it would continue in future as well,” said Champa Devi, a local woman.

Hindus in Nepal are known to offer animal sacrifices to deities for luck and prosperity or to ward off evil.

Animal rights activists who called for an end to the centuries-old ceremony have criticized the festival, which is held every five years. (ANI)