The chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalitha, said the restrictions were being withdrawn following requests from across the state.

Last year, her government decided to enforce strictly existing legislation against animal sacrifice despite opponents saying it was an interference in their religious beliefs.

Correspondents say senior leaders of Ms Jayalalitha's AIADMK party feared a backlash in the forthcoming general election if the ban was not lifted.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service