Hundreds of tribals on Tuesday observed the annual Sulia Yatra at Khairguda village in Balangir district sacrificing animals and birds despite appeal and awareness by the local administration to refrain from the age-old practice.
The tribals marched in a procession to the ritual site at Khairguda of Kultapada panchayat under Tusura police limits and performed the animal sacrifice in the morning to propitiate the presiding deity, Sulia.
The Sulia Yatra is held on the second Tuesday of Pousa month every year with sacrifice of hens and goats. The tribals believe that offering blood of animals and birds to the deity brings good harvest resulting in prosperity and happiness to their families and the community as a whole.
Notably, there had been a tussle between the district administration and the Zilla Adivasi Sangha in the past following the Orissa High Court’s order to abolish such practice and mass killing of animals. But after the Supreme Court’s verdict to respect tribal rituals and traditions, the district administration has kept itself away from opposing the animal offering. The administration only beefs up security during the festival to avoid any untoward situation.
Adequate security arrangement was made to maintain law and order situation this year as well. In absence of any prohibitory order, police limited its role to crowd control.