Bangalore: Eid al-Adha, (Bakrid), is round the corner. The state government has declared Oct. 6th as a holiday for its celebration. Devout Muslims sacrifice sheep on the occasion and sheep are at a premium. The main spot market in Bangalore is the Chamrajpet Idgah grounds. There is a huge rush as people are  busy making their picks to get them home days in advance. The prize buy? a home grown Bannur ram.

A single Bannur ram with impressive looks, long ears, and long horns, can fetch anything from Rs 10,000 to nearly Rs 2 lakh. Farmers from Bannur, Malavalli, Mandya, Maddur, Hoskote, far away districts like Chitradurga, and even from Andhra Pradesh are camping in Chamrajpet with their specially-grown sheep.

A bangalore daily quoted Suhail, who has been in the sheep business for over 10 years, saying, “This time we have brought around 100 sheep for sale. The highest price for which I have sold a sheep ever was Rs 2.5 lakh, a couple of Bakrids ago. The price of a single sheep, which weighs 40 kg on average, can hit Rs 1 lakh on a good day. There’s a premium on the appearance of the animal during Bakrid.”

It is reported that the price of sheep has gone up by 20 to 30 percent compared with last year. Sellers say the price will rise further as Bakrid approaches. It is learnt that the minimum price is Rs: 500000. A Kg of mutton goes up to Rs: 700 to Rs: 1000 at this time according to a shopper at the Market.