Animal rights activists, including PETA India and HSI, have criticized the slaughter of over 4,000 animals during the Gadhimai festival in Nepal, a Hindu tradition that occurs every five years and is considered the world's largest ritual sacrifice. The festival, held in the Nepalese town of Bariyarpur, has seen a decrease in the number of sacrifices with each edition, with the 2019 event reducing the number significantly compared to the 2009 event. The animals sacrificed include buffalos, goats, and pigeons.