Depukhu

Depukhu (Nepali: द्यःपुखू), also De pukhu or Dyo pukhu in Newar language, Deopokhari festival in English,^[1] and Deopokhari jatra in Nepali,^[2] is a festival celebrated in August each year by the Newar community of Khokana in central Nepal.^[1] It involves the ritual sacrifice of a virgin she-goat (often a kid) in the Deopokhari pond which is situated in the premises of Rudrayani temple in Khokana,^[2][3] in a process described as inhumane and barbaric^[1] by animal rights activists. Once taken as a matter of cultural pride, international outcry and criticism has led the locals to attempt to reform the festival in recent years.