Sulia Jatra to be held on January 7, tradition of animal sacrifice to continue
Balangir: Famous tribal festival Sulia Jatra in Balangir district of Odisha will be held on January 7, 2025 and the tradition of animal sacrifice to continue, informed sources. Decision to this effect was taken during a meeting today.
The Balangir district administration held a preparatory meeting with the tribals or the Sulia Jatra organisers to chalk out plans and take measures to hold the Sulia Jatra at the Sulia Pitha with great devotion and in a peaceful manner.
It is to be noted here that the eight sub-castes of the Kondh tribe organize the Sulia Jatra on the second Tuesday of the ‘pausa’ month every year during which they sacrifice goats and hens after the priest perform the ‘Nishi Puja’ ritual.
On the day of the Sulia Jatra, a huge number of tribals, armed with their traditional weapons, march to the Bada Khala of Khairaguda and Sana Khala of Kumuria in processions and sacrifice huge quantity of animals and birds as per their tradition, which is believed to be at least 500 years old,
The tribals believe that presiding deity Sulia helps them to have a good harvest and prosperity in their community when they offer the blood of cocks, pigeons, fowls, goats, sheep and buffalo calves.
