Sadar Festivities In City From Monday

Khairatabad: As the sound and light extravaganza of Diwali comes to a close every year, the Yadav community in Hyderabad begins to assemble for the Sadar festivities in Khairatabad, where groups from various parts of the city march in their magnificently decked bulls amidst music and celebration.

Sadar, also called 'Dunnapothula panduga' is a tradition that has been going on in Hyderabad for the last six decades. The carnival was hosted by the founders of Navayuga Yadav organization M Chowdhury Sattiah and brothers. Today Mangalarapu Mahesh Yadav, one of his descendants proudly carries on the tradition. The Sadar takes place between 6:30pm and 10:30pm.

This year the Sadar is to see participation from one hundred buffaloes that are to parade in from all over the city. The buffaloes are washed and cleaned and decked up for the carnival with flowers, colours and bright clothes. The festivities begin every year with a Sri Krishna puja. The buffaloes are made to perform tricks such as being made to stand up on their hind legs and prizes are awarded for the best display. Music and dances such as dandia are part of the festivities.

Demand for state recognition

This long standing carnival that the Yadav community celebrates with pride and joy is also attended by people of all religion and castes. There is therefore a demand to recognize the Sadar as a state festival.

This year's Sadar will be attended by the union minister Bandaru Dattatreya, state ministers Nayani Narasimha Reddy and Talasani Srinivas Reddy apart from the thousands of celebrants from the Yadav community.