Hundreds attend Deodhani festival in Gauhati

Goats and pigeons are offered as sacrifice during this festival held to worship Manasa, the serpent goddess, with the belief that she will fulfill the wishes of her devotees. (Photo: AP)

Hindu priests, faces smeared with vermillion powder and sacrificial blood, perform rituals during the two-day long Deodhani festival at Kamakhya temple in Gauhati, India, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. Men wear garland and dress themselves like their respective deities to carry out the rituals. (Photo: AP)

A Hindu priest, face smeared with vermillion powder and sacrificial blood, carries a goat for sacrifice during the two-day long Deodhani festival at Kamakhya temple in Gauhati, India, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. The temple is located atop the Nilachal Hills which is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya. (Photo: AP)

A young girl offers a garland to a hindu priest, face smeared with vermillion powder and sacrificial blood, during the two-day long Deodhani festival at Kamakhya temple in Gauhati, India, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. (Photo: AP)

A Hindu devotee carries pigeons, smeared with blood and vermilion powder, for sacrifice during the two-day long Deodhani festival at Kamakhya temple in Gauhati, India, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. (Photo: AP)

Devotees watch Hindu priests perform rituals during the two-day long Deodhani festival at Kamakhya temple in Gauhati, India, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. Many believe the goddess will reward special powers to those who participate. (Photo: AP)

Devotees performs 'Deodhani', a traditional folk dance from the Indian state of Assam, during the Deodhani dance festival at Kamakhya temple, in Guwahati on Saturday. Chanting hymns and sound of drum beats filled the sacred temple on the hill. (Photo: AP)

A Hindu priest, face smeared with vermillion powder and sacrificial blood, performs rituals during the two-day long Deodhani festival at Kamakhya temple in Gauhati, India, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. (Photo: AP)