Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bolangir, Jan 3:

The famous Sulia Jatra began in Odisha's Bolangir district today with hundreds of animals and birds sacrificed following age-old tribal ritual.

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According to reports, the first Tuesday of Shukla Paksha in Dhanu (Pousa) month is observed as Sulia Jatra by tribals as per their tradition.

This year, the Jatra began today morning at main Sulia Pitha aka Badakhala at Khairaguda under Deogaon block and Sanakhala at Kumuria.

After worship of 'Sulia Pitha', the devotees started offering animals and birds to be sacrificed before god with a believe that all their suffering is because of divine wrath and the sacrifice of animals will ensure that deities protect them from misery and misfortune.

Notably, there had been a tussle between district administration and Zilla Adivasi Sangha following High Court orders to abolish such practice and superstition, mass killing of animals. But after the Supreme Court of India's verdict to respect tribal rituals and traditions, the district administration has kept itself away from opposing animal offering only beefing up security to avoid any untoward situation during the festival.