Bengaluru: With Bakrid around the corner, Idga grounds at Chamarajpet, has turned into a bustling business hub filled with shepherds and buyers. Rams and sheep, especially of the Bannur breed, are in high demand.
On Monday, a ram belonging to Mr. Syed Ahmed Kabir, a resident of 5th cross, Chamarajpet of the city, which weighed over 80 kilos, was sold for a whopping '.1.50 lakh – to a techie.
The shepherds who are bringing the sheep from across the state are optimistic that with the high demand, the rate will reach -its peak after Friday afternoon prayers.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Mr. Kabir informed that a techie bought the ram after nearly two hours’ negotiation.
“He bought the ram for his parents who have big plans for the festival. I have two more rams to sell at this Bakrid festival.
“Ram and sheep sales are expected to reach their peak on Friday and Saturday, especially on Friday evening,” he explained.
Mr. Kabir who has his own sheep farm, said that generally the price escalates in the festive season.
“The ram which I sold for '1.5 lakh weighed more than 80 kilos,” he said.
Mr. Kabir informed that the city has a bigger market for sheep and rams than Mumbai.
“Many are ready to pay more than even the Bollywood superstars for rams. But these buyers never make news. They keep every thing very low profile,” he explained.
Shepherds from across the state who have brought their sheep and rams to the grounds expecting bumper prices, feel that sales have just begun and Karnataka breeds are expected to fetch a high price this time.
“On Tuesday more than 10,000 sheep and rams were on sale. This number is expected to go even higher with more sellers coming to the city from Thursday.
“Even though there is no organised market which will provide a proper platform for both buyers and sellers and proper security or even the hygiene, this ground has become the centre of all Bakrid-related business,” says Mr. Raja Poojary, a resident of Davanagere who has been in the business for the last two decades.
