Animal sacrifice prevented at Marakumbi Durga Devi fair in Koppal district; pumpkins offered instead in historic shift

In a significant development, animal sacrifice was completely prevented during the annual Sri Durga Devi jatra held on February 12 and 13 at Marakumbi village in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district.

In place of animal sacrifice, devotees symbolically offered pumpkins to the deity, marking what organisers described as a historic milestone.

Dayananda Swami, president of the World Animal Welfare Board, the Federation for Eradication of Animal Sacrifice Awareness, and Basava Dharma Jnana Peetha, welcomed the development and termed it an important step towards promoting compassion and non-violence in religious practices.

The move followed representations made to the authorities, urging them to prevent animal sacrifice at the fair in accordance with the Karnataka Prevention of Animal Sacrifices Act, 1959, and relevant directions of the Karnataka High Court. In response, the government undertook precautionary measures, including extensive awareness campaigns and deployment of tight police security.

Officials from the Revenue and Panchayat departments, under the leadership of the Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Superintendent of Police, conducted peace meetings with villagers and devotees at Marakumbi ahead of the fair to ensure smooth conduct of the event without animal sacrifice.

The authorities, including police, remained on the temple premises and fair grounds throughout the night to ensure that no untoward incidents took place. Devotees continued to visit the temple throughout the night, offering prayers and participating in religious rituals with devotion and enthusiasm.