Coimbatore: The second edition of the Kongu cattle festival began on Friday at Samathur Zamin in Pollachi. Almost 100 cattle arrived at the venue early in the morning itself to participate in the event. The first day of the festival, organised by Vanavarayar Foundation, featured traditional ‘Maattu puja’ or cow puja.
The event saw over 100 cows and a few bulls. “We are expecting quite a few Kangeyam bulls in different colours and specification, along with other breeds like Gir, Ongole and TharparkerAlanganallur Bulls and Jersey cows,” a Vanavarayar Foundation spokesperson said.
The foundation started to conduct the event last year as it felt “many of the native breeds were facing extinction, though cattle and livestock have been a part of our lives since ancient times”.
“There is a lot of awareness about rare wild animals, as children get to learn about them in their text books and encyclopedias. However, they don’t get to learn about our indigenous cattle breeds, which are vital and relevant to us,” the spokesperson further said. “Hence, the foundation intends to promote the agrarian economy by creating awareness and promoting the means of conserving cattle,” he said.
True to its aim, the next two days at Samathur are expected to be a treat for cattle and domestic animal lovers. “The show is going to feature indigenous breeds of horses, Rajasthani horses, goats and even roosters,” the foundation said in a press statement.
While 108 cows were present on Friday evening for the traditional ‘Pollachi’ style Maattu Puja, at least 600 cattle are expected to turn up for the three-day long event, based on the 2015 footfalls. “Competitions will be held for cattle, so that they can be seen at their best form,” the spokesperson explained.
Also, the event has an agriculture exhibition, with stalls by agriculture, farm equipment, feed, medicine and farm equipment manufacturers. Institutes like the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University will also display the latest farm machinery used for breeding, production, nutrition, health management, disease control in dairy and livestock farming.
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Contact on below addresses for stall booking:
Kontak Exhibitions & Fair
Mobile: 9443352358
Event Name: 4th Edition of KONGUNATTU KAALNADAI THIRUVIZHA 2018
Date: 9-11 Feb 2018
Venue: Samathur Pollachi
