Goats, buffaloes sacrificed as Hindu devotees mark Dashain festival in Nepal: The festival celebrates the victory of the gods over demons.

Hindu devotees across Nepal on Monday celebrated the ninth day of the major annual festival of Dashain by offering animal sacrifices to the Goddess Durga.

Goats and buffaloes were herded into temples across the Nepali capital where they were slaughtered with sacrificial swords, an epa journalist reports.

The heads of the slaughtered animals were then laid among other offerings for the Hindu Goddess Durga, a mother figure of power and prosperity.

Similar sacrifices were made across the country, with chickens, ducks and sheep also slaughtered to appease the goddess, and prayers offered to honor her.

Dashain is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Nepal, with all castes and religions in the country marking the event alongside Hindu devotees.

The festival celebrates the victory of the gods over demons.

This year, more than 2.2 million people have left the Kathmandu Valley to return to their hometowns for the occasion, according to the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs, as cited by The Himalayan Times newspaper.

In addition to animal sacrifices, devotees celebrate the festival by giving gifts to relatives, flying kites and feasting.
 EFE/EPA
10/10/16
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