Seven pairs of buffaloes fight in Ujjain field on Bhai Dooj in decades-old tradition

The old tradition of buffalo fights was observed in Ujjain on Wednesday on the occasion of Bhai Dooj. A temporary arena had been prepared in a field behind Unity Mall, where seven pairs of male buffaloes were pitted against each other. A large number of people came to watch.

Organiser Roshan Yadav said the tradition has been followed in his family since the time of his ancestors. It is described as 100 to 200 years old and is held every year on Bhai Dooj. According to Roshan, preparing the animals for the bouts takes a great deal of effort. They are fed pure desi ghee and desi eggs, made to swim and walked around the arena. Roshan said family members spend one to two months preparing the animals.

Notably, some families prepare their animals for these bouts not for one or two months but through the entire year. Special attention is paid to their diet, massage and exercise.

Sawan Yadav said his family has watched the tradition for three to four generations. According to him, the animals are cared for through the year. They are given oilcake, churi, chapad and milk. They are massaged with mustard oil and their physical activity is also monitored.

Sawan Yadav also said that such events were earlier held at Kachcha Masaniya, Lalpul and Gadkali Road in Ujjain. As those grounds are gone, different families now hold the events in their own fields.

According to people associated with the event, the tradition is also linked to the memory of the late Chunni Pehlwan, Kishan Pehlwan Yadav, Gannu Bhaiya, Ram Bhaiya and Babu Pehlwan, along with other senior members of the families. Members of their families are carrying it forward. The organisers claim that buffalo fights are part of an old tradition of the Yadav community.

However, questions have been raised from time to time about such events in view of animal rights and the rules on cruelty to animals.