‘Millions of Hindus gathered in southern Nepal today, to take part in the Gadhimai festival – thought to be the world’s largest animal sacrifice ritual.

Devotees believe the event brings good luck, and will encourage Gadhimai, the Hindu goddess of power, to answer their wishes.

The ritual begins before dawn in the fields outside Gadhimai temple in Bariyarpur, where a priest trickles his own blood combined with that of a rat, chicken, pigeon, goat, and pig.’

Read more: Gadhimai Hindu festival: Over 5,000 buffaloes slaughtered in Nepal