Skyrocketing prices fail to dampen cattle buying spree in city ahead of Eid-al-Adha

Kolkata: Skyrocketing prices of cattle did not deter people from buying goats and dumbas (Arabian Lamb) on the eve of Bakrid, to be observed on Monday.

A goat weighing around 30 kg drew the attention of customers

at the Zakariya Street goat market this year.

"On Saturday, I sold a goat for Rs 1.10 lakh. The person who bought it lives near Moulali. I have only one goat left with me. Its name is Praveer and its two-years-old," said Shubham Sharma, the seller of the goat.

Every day, the goat maintains a special diet consisting of grams and banana leaves among others, amounting to a total cost of around Rs 200 per day.

While the price of small goats starts at Rs 8,500, the cost of medium sized goats varies between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000.

The Narkeldanga and Kidderpore cattle markets are usually preferred by people buying average sized goats, while the market near Nakhoda Masjid is known for high priced goats and dumbas.

"I had brought 12 dumbas. I have already sold eight of them and by tonight, all the dumbas will be sold out," said Kalim, a goat and dumba seller.

Bakrid, also known as Eid al-Adha, is the festival of sacrifice celebrated in the honour of prophet Ibrahim, the messenger in Islam who was willing to sacrifice his son as an act of respect towards God's command.