Vijayawada: Stage is set for grand Sankranti celebrations in Andhra Pradesh with cockfighting taking the centre-stage during the festivities. Organisers of different events are leaving no stone unturned to make this year’s celebrations spectacular.
Sankranti, the most significant festival for people of Andhra Pradesh, begins on Monday with Bhogi. The three-day celebrations will kick off with traditional bonfires on Monday, followed by a host of activities, including kite flying, bull decoration contests, goat competitions, pig fights, as well as cockfights. Roosters are trained months in advance.
Across the state more than 800 cockfighting arenas have come up with meticulously preparation. These arenas feature modern amenities such as automated floodlights to host matches round the clock, VIP galleries, and seating for general audiences. “The playing arena is important,” said K Malleswara Rao, a rooster trainer. “If it’s not set up correctly, the results can change. We follow traditional methods to ensure roosters showcase their full strength.”
In Vijayawada’s Ramavarappadu inner ring road area alone, over three lakh people are expected to attend celebrations. Three cockfight arenas have come up in Ramavarappadu area, with places such as Patamata Lanka and Ramalingeswara Nagar Katta also gearing up for large-scale events.
Special Andhra delicacies such as arisalu, kobbari burelu, and chakralu will be served to visitors attending the events. Huge food stalls have also been set up at these venues. People have already started visiting these stalls from Sunday afternoon. Many people from other parts of the country, who are visiting the cockfight arenas for the first time, were seen clicking photos of the roosters.
Sankranti, the most significant festival for people of Andhra Pradesh, begins on Monday with Bhogi. The three-day celebrations will kick off with traditional bonfires on Monday, followed by a host of activities, including kite flying, bull decoration contests, goat competitions, pig fights, as well as cockfights. Roosters are trained months in advance.
Across the state more than 800 cockfighting arenas have come up with meticulously preparation. These arenas feature modern amenities such as automated floodlights to host matches round the clock, VIP galleries, and seating for general audiences. “The playing arena is important,” said K Malleswara Rao, a rooster trainer. “If it’s not set up correctly, the results can change. We follow traditional methods to ensure roosters showcase their full strength.”
In Vijayawada’s Ramavarappadu inner ring road area alone, over three lakh people are expected to attend celebrations. Three cockfight arenas have come up in Ramavarappadu area, with places such as Patamata Lanka and Ramalingeswara Nagar Katta also gearing up for large-scale events.
Special Andhra delicacies such as arisalu, kobbari burelu, and chakralu will be served to visitors attending the events. Huge food stalls have also been set up at these venues. People have already started visiting these stalls from Sunday afternoon. Many people from other parts of the country, who are visiting the cockfight arenas for the first time, were seen clicking photos of the roosters.
