Out of all practices in Caribbean Shaktism such as trance possession, Kali herself, and non-Vedic practices, which alone can be seen as controversial, animal sacrifice is the most controversial one out of all. Animal sacrifice, aka Sadmaa Balidan or Diyagam in Tamil, is a practice in Caribbean Shaktism that was inherited from Dravidian Folk Practices.
The nature and contents of this particular article are often considered to be controversial and sensitive. Thus, caution will be utilised in approaching the topics at hand. In this article, further details will be provided in, inter alia (among other things), Mother Kali offerings that don’t include any animal or blood offerings. The purpose behind compiling an article of this nature is not to coerce or convince many Hindus to, or not to perform, this type of prayer. The main purpose behind this article is to provide more information – and to explain that there are multiple spiritual paths one can take in terms of Hindiusm – and these are all sanctioned by Vedic scriptures. Certain sects in Hinduism allow certain practices which are considered adharma (ill-religious) in other sects of Hinduism, e.g. Tantriks are allowed Himsa (meaning "injury" - it is part of their rituals to sacrifice animals) practices while other Hindus follow Ahimsa (non-injury) practices. In light of this information, a question may arise - “which path is correct?”
Having such differing views, which seems to conflict, can become a significant source of confusion in Hindu (Sanatan Dharma) theology. Where one path of Hinduism believes it to be punishable to perform a specific type of worship, whereas another path unquestionably supports this same type of worship, it can be a source of confusion. However, as will be explain below, both paths of Hinduism are supported by Hindu scriptures. Hinduism has two main branches – Vama Marga (path), and Dakshina Marga. Vama Marga is the “left path”, which tantriks use, and involve rajastic (mode of passion) and tamastic (mode of ignorance) practices. They also practice Himsa (violence) – the sacrificing of animals. Dakshina Marga is the “right path”, which is sattvic (mode of goodness).
Animal sacrifice is a significant part of many Tamil religious festivals, especially in rural areas. It is often performed at the end of festivals and is said to have cosmological and sociological significance. The sacrifices are made to satisfy village goddesses like Mariamman, who are believed to bestow or withhold the health, fertility, and well-being of local households. The proper performance of the sacrifices is also said to be a prerequisite for continued prosperity and social order in the year ahead.
The purpose of the sacrifice is to pacify the wrath and anger of our fierce warrior Deotas, and to seek their grace. In old times, animals were the life source of many, so to sacrifice one was a big act of bhakti. Animal sacrifices are done annually in the month of Aadi as a form of devotion to Kaliamman, but other Deotas such as Kateriamman, Sangili Karuppar, Muneshwaran, Sudalimadan, Dee Baba, Angala Permeshwari, and to the "Dutch Spirits" (aka vengeful agricultural spirits found in Guyanese Shaktism).
The animals sacrificed are usually goats and chickens, but can also be buffaloes. The sacrifices are often performed outside temples and may involve presenting the animals to a closed door that acts as a shrine to a guardian deity. The main deity may be covered with a curtain to avoid seeing the sacrifice. The sacrifices are often accompanied by the chanting of mantras and the blessing of the deity. Some say that the process is an act of elevation rather than violence, as long as it is performed according to strict rules. The animal beforehand is adorned with flower garlands, indoor, and fumigated with incense. Then, some tanni potutal is poured onto the animal's head, and if it shakes it off, it is a sign that the sacrifice can go through. The sacrifice must be done with a consecrated Koruval, which is a Tamil curved machete, and it must go fully through the animal. If the machete does not fully go through, this is taken as a sign that the Bali Pusari (the sacrificer) did not take his or her fast.
The meat, unless it was a sacrifice to Kateriamman, was cooked and distributed as prasadam to the devotees, while the head of the animal was put on the main altar on a banana leaf and later thrown into a body of water along with other offerings.
This is not a daily Shakta practice, it is only reserved for holidays. Many temples, especially now, have discontinued the practice and prefer "Satwik Balidaan" or the symbolic "sacrificing" of coconuts. In many temples, fruits replace animal sacrifice.
Mother Kali is the fearful and ferocious form of the Universal Mother Goddess. Mother Kali's fierce form is adorned with powerful symbols. Her black complexion symbolizes her all-embracing and transcendental nature. Her black complexion is her original form but she does appear in blue complexion as well from time to time. The Mahanirvana Tantra states: "Just as all colors disappear in black, so all names and forms disappear in her". Her appearance is primeval, fundamental, and transparent like Nature — the earth, sea, and sky. Mother Kali is free from the illusory covering, for she is beyond the all maya or "false consciousness." Kali's garland of fifty human heads stand for the fifty letters in the Sanskrit alphabets, and symbolises infinite knowledge. Her girdle of severed human hands signifies work and liberation from the cycle of karma. Her white teeth show her inner purity, and her red lolling tongue indicates her omnivorous nature — her indiscriminate enjoyment of all the world's 'flavors'. Her sword is the destroyer of false consciousness and the eight bonds that bind us. Her three eyes represent past, present, and future, — the three modes of time — an attribute that lies in the very name Kali ('Kala' in Sanskrit means time).” The eminent translator of Tantrik texts, Sir John Woodroffe in Garland of Letters, writes, "Kali is so called because She devours Kala (Time) and then resumes Her own dark formlessness." Kali's proximity to cremation grounds where the five elements, or "Pancha Mahabhuta" (earth, water, fire, air and aether/ether), come together, and all worldly attachments are absolved, again point to the cycle of birth and death. The reclined Lord Shiva lying prostrate under the feet of Mother Kali suggests that without the power of Mother Kali (Shakti), Lord Shiva is inert. Bali Daan, or sacrifice, is central to the worship of Mother Kali. From goats and roosters to sugarcane and pumpkin, a variety of consumables are offered as Bali to the Mother for Her Puja, which falls on the new moon day of the Hindu-calendar month of Kartik (the main Diwali day). In recent years, many temples in Bharat Bhoomi (India) are moving away from any form of animal sacrifice. Many Devi (Durga/Kali) puja temple committees in India have been sensitized against animal sacrifice and puja pandals (temporary shrines or open pavilions) do not offer any “patha bali” (actual sacrifice of an animal) anymore. "Sacrifice is an essential aspect of the Kali puja, for “Bali” is the symbol of power. Bali invokes power, and since we are worshipping Adi Para Shakti, who is the embodiment of shakti (power), it is essential to incorporate Bali in puja, but it does not have to be an animal." "In the past, people preferred animal sacrifice due to certain socio-economic reasons, however, now, most of the Puja committees prefer to use vegetables or fruits instead". Many temples are now offering symbolic sacrifices like that of gourd, white pumpkin, sugarcane, cucumber etc." In recent times the Boiti-Kakharu (pumpkin) sacrifice has, in some areas (in India and other parts of the world) and for some devotees, replaced animal sacrifice. I just wanted to clear up a few things. I do not support the innocent killing of animals but I'd rather they be killed in an honorable manner such as this instead of in a factory, and to be eaten with much respect as they do in temples. Thank you all, love you, Om Sakthi, and Jai Maa Kali <3
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