Sulia Jatra Explained

Sulia Jatra is celebrated in the village of Khairguda, situated in Balangir district, Western Odisha. It is widely reported that thousands of animals and birds are sacrificed during this festival which takes place on the second Tuesday of the month of Pausha.^[1]

Origin

Sulia Jatra is named after the god Sulia of tribal communities. The place is surrounded with nature. The animal sacrifice is a long tradition of the Kandha tribes. They believe that it will bring success and prosperity to the community by offering blood to the Sulia god. It was also reported that eight sub castes of the Kandha worship Sulia as their presiding deity in this 500-year-old tradition.

Media coverage

The Sulia Jatra has received media coverage, including:

• News: Karan. Jajati. Tribals celebrate banned Sulia Jatra festival. https://web.archive.org/web/20121014024456/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/orissas-tribals-celebrate-banned-sulia-jatra-fest/56741-3.html. dead. October 14, 2012. IBN Live. January 17, 2008.
• News: HC to hear plea against animal sacrifice in Sulia on Monday. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104101534/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-08/bhubaneswar/28366332_1_animal-sacrifice-animal-act-sulia-samskar-manch. dead. November 4, 2012. The Times of India. January 8, 2011.
• News: Tribals sacrifice hundreds of animals in Orissa. 11 January 2011. Deccan Herald.

External links

• Tradition splashed tribal festival with animal blood
• Sulia Jatra
• Tribals sacrifice hundreds of animals in Orissa

• Sulia jatra history

Notes and References

1. Web site: Animal sacrifice goes unabated at Sulia Jatra . Daily Pioneer.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616084643/http://www.dailypioneer.com/309935/Animal-sacrifice-goes-unabated-at-Sulia-Jatra.html . June 16, 2011 .