250,000 animals were sacrificed during the Gadhimai festival, Before the great earthquake struck

More than 20,000 buffaloes were sacrificed on the first day. It is estimated that 250,000 animals were sacrificed during the Gadhimai festival. The ritual killings were performed by more than 200 men in a concrete slaughterhouse near the temple. Worshipers believe that the animal sacrifice, meant to appease Gadhimai, the Hindu goddess of power, to bring them luck and prosperity.

See more pics after cut....

 

Gadhimai festival is a sacrificial ritual that is held every 5 years at the Gadhimai Temple of Bariyarpur, in Bara District, about 100 miles (160 km) south of the capital Kathmandu in southern Nepal, near the Indo-Nepal border. The event involves the world's second largest sacrificial slaughter of animals after Hajj including water buffaloes, pigs, goats, chicken, rats, and pigeons – with the goal of pleasing Gadhimai, the goddess of power.

Participants believe that animal sacrifices to the Hindu goddess Gadhimai will end evil and bring prosperity.