Animal sacrifice on a large scale came to light at a remote tribal habitation in Nalgonda district. Tribal people reportedly slaughtered over 100 bulls early on Saturday morning to appease tribal goddess Kankali Bhavani (locally called Ankalamma) at Ramannagudem Tanda of Peddavoora mandal even as hundreds of women and children watched the ritual.
The locals said that the temple was constructed in 1944 by Lalu Sad, a devotee of goddesses Bhavani, who used to travel to Tuljapur in Maharashtra on foot every year to offer prayers. Since then, his descendants were celebrating the festival by sacrificing cattle. Lalu Sad’s descendants also constructed a temple for him, apart from a temple for Guru Nanak.
Only those from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana districts were said to be making the bull sacrifice while people from all castes took part in the jatara . Speaking to The Hindu , Peddavoora Sub-Inspector of Police B. Prasada Rao said the number crossed the 100 mark this year. No case was registered against any one as the ritual was local custom.
