Maharashtra: Temple officials to discuss goat sacrifice ban

Nashik: The Saptashrungi temple administration will hold a meeting to discuss the cancellation of goat sacrifices on Dusshera after the authorities claimed that according to the law sacrifice in the open is banned and directed them to stop the practice. 

The 3.5 Shaktipeeth temple is located on a mountain in Kalvan tehsil of Nashik district. The temple is under government administration with the additional district judge as the president. Last year, eight persons were injured when revellers fired in the air during the sacrifice.

However Saptashrungi villagers have urged the trust to stay the ban and threatened to boycott the celebrations if their demand is not met. The locals have defended the ancient tradition.

Kalvan revenue officer Arjun Srinivasan held meeting with senior officials, police officers and the trustees. He told trustees that the tradition, which could be dangerous to the devotees should be stopped. Trustee Avinash Bhide said that the trust has to follow the law and respect the administration, and will stop the practice. “We will hold a meeting and formally pass a resolution,” he said.

According to the tradition, the goat is taken out in a procession on Dusshera day and then slaughtered in the Deepmal area of the Saptashrungi mountain.

Gram panchayat members Rajesh Gavli and Balasaheb Varghal submitted a memorandum to the trust manager and urged them to reconsider its decision.