The annual Sulia Yatra of Bolangir district, infamous for its animal sacrifices, will be organised on January 11, 2022 in strict adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the district administration.
The annual festival is observed by the tribals of Khairguda and Kumuria villages under Deogaon Block of the district every year.
The Yatra organising committee which met at Khairguda on Wednesday finalised the date of the festival and prepared a schedule of the event. As per reports, the members of the committee have decided to perform animal sacrifices during the festival this time too.
Tribals believe that appeasing the deity with animal sacrifice brings good rainfall and harvest. The animal sacrifice ritual takes place on the second Tuesday of the Odia month of Pausa every year.
The meeting was joined by the priests of Badakhala of Khairguda, Sanakhala of Kumuria and other tribal leaders from nearby villages.
It is worthwhile to mention here that Sulia Yatra is one of the major festivals of tribals in western Odisha after the Chhatar Yatra in Bhawanipatna when thousands of birds and animals including goats, sheep, buffaloes, ducks, pigeons and roosters are sacrificed at Badakhala in Khairguda and Sana Khala in Kumuria village every year. Devotees from the State and outside throng the district in large numbers to witness the festival.