Nalbari, Oct 20: Twenty-eight buffaloes were sacrificed during the centuries-old Mahabali ritual at the historic Shri Shri Billeswar Devalaya in Assam’s Nalbari district on Tuesday, as the temple observed Maha Navami with traditional religious ceremonies.
The ritual began around 8 am and concluded peacefully, according to a temple official. Forty buffaloes were brought for the ceremony, of which 28 were sacrificed, while the remaining 12 were released into open grounds.
“The animal sacrifice ritual at Billeswar Temple concluded today. A total of 40 buffaloes were there, of which 28 were sacrificed. The remaining 12 were released into open grounds,” the official said.
Biswajyoti Barman, a priest and temple authority, said the Mahabali ritual was observed in keeping with the shrine’s longstanding religious traditions on Maha Navami, the ninth day of Durga Puja.
Thousands of devotees visited the temple for the observances, with Barman describing Monday’s turnout as unprecedented.
“Besides buffaloes, devotees offered goats, ducks, pumpkins and sugarcane as part of the traditional rituals,” Barman said.
The Mahabali ceremony remains a prominent feature of Durga Puja at Billeswar Devalaya, reflecting practices preserved across generations.
The shrine is regarded as a historic Shaivite-Shakti Peeth, with its traditions linked to royal-era patronage.
The temple is also known for following a traditional 11-day Durga Puja schedule, unlike the more common four-day public celebrations observed at many other places. Its worship begins earlier with invocations and ceremonies rooted in longstanding religious practices.
The shrine’s history is associated with King Nagaksha, while successive rulers, including the Ahom kings, are linked to its development and patronage.
The ritual drew devotees as temples and puja pandals across Assam marked Maha Navami with special prayers and religious ceremonies.