Hyderabad: Buffaloes worth crores of rupees, including prized breeds brought from Haryana, Punjab and Kerala, are turning Hyderabad’s annual Sadar festival into a major attraction.
What began as a modest gathering of livestock-rearing families in Narayanaguda in the 1940s has evolved into an elaborate celebration featuring grand processions, colourful decorations and growing participation from youngsters.
Popularly known as the buffalo festival, Sadar is celebrated by the Yadav community after Diwali. The celebrations were initially started by community elders to bring together families who depended on livestock rearing and the sale of milk and dairy products for their livelihood. As people spent most of their time caring for animals, they had limited opportunities to meet relatives and friends. The festival provided an occasion for them to come together.
Over the years, the celebrations spread from Narayanaguda to other parts of Hyderabad. Buffaloes became the centrepiece of the event, reflecting their importance to the community's traditional livelihood. Families select their strongest and healthiest animals, decorate them with flower garlands, bells and colourful ornaments, and take them out in processions.
While earlier celebrations mainly featured buffaloes raised in Hyderabad and its surrounding villages, breeders now bring special breeds from states such as Haryana, Punjab and Kerala. Murrah buffaloes, known for their body structure, weight, height and horn patterns, have become a major attraction. Some animals are transported in specially arranged vehicles from hundreds of kilometres away.
The value of these animals has also become a talking point during the celebrations. Last year, Guman Kali, a buffalo brought from Kerala, emerged as a major attraction. Weighing around 2,500 kg and measuring seven feet in width, the animal was reportedly valued at approximately Rs 25 crore. According to reports, thousands of rupees were spent on its daily diet, which included apples, bananas, milk and dry fruits.
Breeders make special arrangements for their animals' upkeep, including dedicated caretakers, quality feed, regular exercise, hygiene and veterinary attention.
The processions have also become more elaborate over the years. Buffaloes are adorned with special clothing, painted horns, flower garlands and bells. Teenmaar drumbeats, dances and enthusiastic participation by youngsters add to the festive atmosphere. Narayanaguda, Musheerabad, Kachiguda and Saidabad are among the areas where the celebrations attract crowds.
Youngsters are increasingly taking part in raising and decorating buffaloes and organising processions. People who have moved to other places for employment and business also return to Hyderabad with their families to participate in the celebrations. Social media has further increased the festival's visibility, with photographs and videos of the animals widely shared online, attracting visitors from other regions.
The growing scale of the celebrations has also brought animal welfare into focus. Long-distance travel, loud music and large crowds can cause stress to the animals. Organisers need to ensure adequate food, drinking water, rest and veterinary supervision to protect their health during the event.
From a gathering of livestock-rearing families in the 1940s, Sadar has grown into a major cultural attraction in Hyderabad. While the scale of the celebrations and the participation of prized buffaloes have changed, the festival continues to preserve an important part of the city's cultural identity.