An Indian drunken priest is accused of killing a man at an animal sacrifice-gone wrong in India.
The suspect, named Chalapathi, was meant to cut off a goat’s head as part of celebrations on Sunday for the Sankrati – a Hindu holiday.
The priest, however, is said to have misjudged his goal and slit the throat 35-year old Suresh who was holding the goat.
Many reports stated that the victim was killed, but photographs purportedly showing Suresh at the hospital seemed to support this.
The horrific incident took place in Valasapalli in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district, with local news outlets reporting that the incident was a tragic accident.
United News of India’s (UNI) news agency stated that Suresh had two children and was married.
The suspect, named Chalapathi, was meant to cut off a goat’s head as part of celebrations on Sunday for the Sankrati – a Hindu holiday. However, the suspect is said to have failed his target and instead cut the throat (pictured) of Suresh 35 years old, who held the goat.
According to the UNI, the sacrifice was part the Kanuma animal festival, also called Pasuvula Panduga. Kanuma occurs on the third Day of Sankranthi, Andhra Pradesh.
India Times reports that a large group of villages congregated on Sunday night to begin the ritual, and it continued till midnight.
To perform the ritual sacrifice of animals, the crowd walked towards a temple dedicated the goddess Yellamma (the protector goddess of Andhra Pradesh).
This was when the fatal incident happened. The drunk priest, who had been assigned to carry out the sacrifice, missed his target.
The victim, who was bleeding profusely from the chest, was taken to Madanpelle’s government hospital and declared dead.
Video of the victim at hospital revealed a cut on his neck.
Local reports claim that Chalapathi was arrested.
The horrific incident took place in Valasapalli in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district, with local news outlets reporting that the incident was a tragic accident. The victim, who was bleeding profusely (pictured), was taken to Madanpelle’s government hospital and declared dead.
This is how animals are offered to the Yellamma temple every year.
Sankranti, a Hindu festival that celebrates Lord Surya the Sun God is called Sankranti. This festival celebrates the moment when the sun crosses into Makara Rashi (or the Capricorn Zodiac).
Also, it marks the end to winter, longer days and the start of a new season.
Although this date is on the Solar Calendar, celebrations may continue for several more days.
In India, the traditional way to mark this date is with celebrations, visiting temples, and then taking a refreshing bath in Ganges River.
Local reports indicate that animals may also be sacrificed during the festivities, which is becoming less common among Hindus.