From a Correspondent
TANGLA, August 28: Every Bakrid season, the traditiol goat market in Kalaigaon market transforms into a full-fledged bazaar as goat breeders arrive with their flock. This year, prices have shot up and even the normal goat varieties are being sold at rates ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000 per goat.
The goat bazaar is also unique in another sense as majority of the goat sellers are Hindus. Bakrid is an important date in their business calendar.
“I have 20 goats here at the market and am hoping to get a good price for them. They are local breed. My starting price is Rs 8,000 and I have already sold a few,” said a trader at the Kalaigaon market.
“Goat prices have gone up this year. Since people do not rear goats as they used to in villages, there is a scarcity of goats for Bakrid,” said Mril Das, who has arrived with five goats to be sold at the Kalaigaon market.
S. Khan, another resident of Tangla on the lookout for a goat for his family, said that apart from the price, the physical condition of the goat also has to be checked thoroughly. He added that as per the tradition and ritual, the animal chosen for sacrifice should be pure and free from any deformity or blood wounds on its body. He also said that price did not matter as for the festival, handsome price is paid for healthy and large goats.