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Can anyone kindly tell me the significance of sacrificing animals (like goat) in front of God/Goddess? During Durga Puja I have seen that people sacrifice different things (aka "Balidan") in front of God/Goddess.

Also I have seen 108 lights are offered after the sacrifice. I would love to know the meaning for that.

Pranam.

Taxicab
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    The practice of sacrifice (especially in Shakta tantra) comes from Kaula vidhis of Puja. Tantra is an alternate mode of worship of deities. The particular sect - vamachara has rites of panchamakara or 5 Ms : 1. Mamsa (Meat), 2. Matsya (fish), 3. madya (alcohol, wine), 4. mudra (cereal), 5. mudra (hand gestures). Note: There are specific procedures of Bali (either though cut of a blade or mantra spell to kill) and the deity blesses both: the animal as well as the vyadha (butcher) for it. Although, Bali has been in Vedas too what you are referring to is tantric. – User 29449 Oct 23 '23 at 12:07
  • Thanks ! But what I wanted to know is the Significance - what spiritual benefit happens when someone offers "Balidan"? Is this related to the 6 Ripus of human somehow (Kam, Krodh, . . . etc.) ? – Taxicab Oct 27 '23 at 10:20
  • The significance actually varies a lot. In tantra the goal is to become one with the deity. In Ugra practices (like sacrifices in this case) - ugra (or aghora) deities like - durga, Kali (shamshan kali specially), Bhairava, etc like deities are worshipped, where the end goal is to get possessed (or become one with the deity). I'm not sure if this is the case with Durga Puja, but in the usual sense - a lot of tantra sadhana is sensitive because of such cases. Such possession which brings enlightenment to the sadhak is the chief goal and liberates him. – User 29449 Oct 27 '23 at 15:00

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