Hyderabad: Three giant buffaloes brought from Haryana will be the star attractions at the Sadar festivities in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Named Kaali, Yuvraj-2 and Rolex, the buffaloes weigh between 1,500 and 1,800 kg, measure around 14 feet in length and stand approximately 6.5 feet tall. Along with these three, five other buffaloes will also take part in the celebrations.
The organisers are making arrangements for the annual celebrations, which are held after Diwali and form an important part of Hyderabad's cultural heritage. The festivities will be held in several parts of the city, including Narayanguda, Musheerabad, Kachiguda, Khairatabad and NTR Stadium.
The buffaloes are being specially groomed for the occasion and have been raised with care several months in advance. They are fed nutritious food, including bran, cashews and almonds. On the day of the celebrations, their bodies are polished with oil, their horns are painted, and they are decorated with ribbons and peacock feathers.
The animals' performances, particularly standing on their hind legs, are among the major attractions of the festival. Organisers said special care was being taken to ensure their health and well-being.
According to representatives of the All India Yadav Samaj, the Sadar festivities were started nearly 80 years ago by Chowdhary Salandra Mallaiah Yadav with the objective of bringing the Yadav community together. The tradition is believed to have continued since the Nizam era.
The celebrations are also associated with the belief that they commemorate Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect cowherds and cattle. Over the years, Sadar has evolved into an integral part of Hyderabad's cultural identity, with the Telangana government recognising it as a State festival.
Bringing specially bred buffaloes from Haryana and Punjab for the celebrations has been a tradition since 2009. Their massive size and distinctive physical features attract large numbers of visitors every year.
With Input from Media