Only four pairs take part in annual cattle procession

There was lukewarm response to the cattle procession organised in the City to mark Sankranti on Saturday. Only four pairs of ox participated in the event.

Over 30 pairs took part in the procession last year and the decline was noticeable this year. The role of cattle in agriculture is being diluted with mechanised farming holding sway.

In fact, over hundreds of pairs used to take part in the procession and by that account that last year’s event too was also pale. People were disappointed to see scant numbers in the procession which waded through Karanjikatte, new bus stand and Clock Tower.

The festival spirit, though appeared dampened by rising prices, was nevertheless palpable in cultural programmes and rangoli contests mark the occasion.

Cattle were decorated and made to walk through fire. Special puja was offered at Yaluvahalli temple in Chikkaballapur taluk. A procession of the cattle was also taken through the village. Here too only a handful pairs were noted.

“Tractors are increasingly replacing ox in the modern day farming. The village now has only two pairs of ox,” Yaluvahalli Sonnegowda told Deccan Herald.

Procession taken out

The Kanakadasara Bhajana Mandali took out a procession of the saint-poet in the main streets of Chikkaballapur.

A rangoli contest was held at Bhyregowda extension in Kolar. Colourful rangolis were seen in front of as many as eight houses.