How did the Udmurt lud serve as a place for sacrifice?

The Udmurt lud served as a sacred grove and a dedicated site for sacrifice within the Finno-Ugric religion. These areas were typically fenced off with high boards or logs and situated in isolated forest locations.12

Inside the lud, the space was structured to facilitate ritual offerings:
* Sacrificial Setup: The area generally contained a grove of fir trees, a designated place for a fire, and a primitive table used for sacrificial gifts and meals.12
* Ritual Practices: Regular animal sacrifices were performed annually, and occasional crisis rites were held to address accidents or disease. All food from these offerings had to be consumed on the premises, and the hides of sacrificed animals were hung on the trees.12
* Sacred Protocol: The site was considered highly sacred; visitors were often required to bathe before entering, and unseemly behavior was strictly prohibited. A hereditary guardian oversaw the site, and in some regions, women and children were forbidden from entering.21