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  • Nilachal Hills
  • South bank of Brahmaputra river
  • Guwahati

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Kamakhya Devi Temple

  • The temple is primary amongst the 51 Shakti Peethas.
  • Major religious site in Hinduism
  • Current temple structure – 16th century
  • No idol/image – The inner sanctum within the vimana, the garbhagriha, is below ground level and consists of no image but a rock fissure in the shape of a ’yoni’.

The Ambubachi mela

  • ‘Mahakumbh of the East’
  • Four day annual mela held in the temple complex in June
  • The festival marks the annual menstruation of the presiding Goddess.
  • Garbhagriha is closed for devotees for four days.
  • Attracts lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country and abroad.
  • The ritualistic fair celebrating the goddess’ period – taboo associated with menstruation is less in Assam.

Animal Sacrifice

  • The Kamakhya Temple is known for its tradition of ritual sacrifice, especially during Durga Puja every year .
  • Birds, buffaloes, goats, pigeons and ducks
  • The practice has often been target of animal rights organisations.

Arguments in favour of ritual sacrifice

  • Centuries old tradition.
  • Sustains the local economy – sellers
  • The meat is not wasted – It is distributed among devotees at the temple.
  • Many poor families in the area depend upon the  ’Prasad’ (meat of offered animal).
  • The meat is distributed among many tribal families living in the hills surrounding the city.
  • Animal offering is VOLUNTARY for devotees, not compulsory – other methods of offerings exist too.
  • There is no ban on meat shops and slaughterhouses or for personal consumption.

Arguments Against the ritual sacrifice

  • Unnecessary pain & suffering on an animal.
  • Love and compassion for animals
  • Humanism
  • Traditions do change with time.
  • Freedom of religion is subject to the rigours of public order, morality, and health.
  • Majority of Hindu temples do not have a tradition of ritual sacrifice.

What does the law say?

  • The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
  • “Saving as respects manner of killing prescribed by religion: Nothing contained in this Act shall render it an offence to kill any animal in a manner required by the religion of any community.”

Banning of Animal Sacrifice

  • Kerala Animals and Bird Sacrifices Prohibition Act, 1968
  • 2014 – Himachal Pradesh High court banned animal slaughter for worship in temples
  • 2019 – Tripura High court banned animal sacrifice at Tripureswari temple.

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Supreme court Judgement Pending

  • Petitioners challenging the Kerala law said it was unconstitutional as it singled out the Hindu community while giving permission to other religious groups to sacrifice animals and birds in connection with their religious customs.
  • July 2020 – The SC has tagged the petition from Kerala with pending appeals against judgments of the High Courts of Himachal Pradesh and Tripura banning animal sacrifice in temples.

 

 

 

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