A tribal in Orissa hacked his mother to death with an axe and performed Tantrik rituals with her blood and severed head, police said on Wednesday.

Jara Tirki, 22, a resident of village Patagaon near the steel city of Rourkela, killed his mother, Janga Tirki, while she was asleep.

He later offered her blood and severed head to goddess Tarini.

Jara tried to bury the body, but the cops were tipped off by the neighbours.

Neighbours said Jara had been keeping to himself and not eating for the last couple of days. The entire family was worried about his strange behaviour and on Monday a witch doctor was called to take a look at him.

Neighbours said Jara did not like being subjected to the witch doctor's treatment.