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KOLKATA, INDIA, June 28, 2002: Unmoved by strong protests from animal rights activists, Nepal’s King Gyanendra offered animal sacrifice for the second consecutive day Friday when a goat was slaughtered after his prayers at the historic Kalighat temple here. The slaughter took place after the dignitaries had left the temple premises apparently in a move not to ruffle the feathers of animal activists. The royal couple, who arrived at Kalighat sharp at 9.15 am without their daughter, Princess Prerana Rajya Lakshmi, stayed inside the temple complex for about 15 minutes propitiating Goddess Kali. “The king and the queen, accompanied by Nepalese priest arrived at the temple and offered the puja in the traditional Hindu way. They also touched the diety’s feet and prayed for peace in Nepal and India,” Mukherjee said. As part of the puja, the royal couple offered the deity a red handloom sari, a matching chunri, glass bangles, flower garlands, joss-sticks and 12 varieties of fruits, Ajoy Banerjee executive member of the temple’s Council of Sevaits (priests), said.

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