As Bakra Eid approaches, the Meena Bazaar area near Jama Masjid in the heart of the national capital transforms into a vibrant hub of activity. The famed ‘Bakra Mela,’ held in the lead-up to Bakrid, attracts throngs of buyers eager to purchase goats for the festival. This year, Bakrid will be celebrated on June 16-17.
Typically lined with garment shops, the area is cleared to accommodate the 10-day ‘mela,’ which becomes a bustling marketplace filled with countless goats, priced at Rs 25,000 and above. Among the many goats, one stands out due to the unique inscriptions of ‘Allah’ and ‘Muhammed’ on its coat, making it a prized possession potentially worth as much as Rs 10 lakh.
The owner of this extraordinary goat, Mohammad Talim, explained the significance of the inscriptions: “These rare goats are priceless because they have Allah’s name written on them. There has been a bid from Mumbai for Rs 10 lakh, but we haven’t set a fixed price. We will sell it to whoever bids the highest.”
Qurbani, or sacrifice, is an essential part of Bakrid, symbolizing gratitude to Allah. Muslims share the meat with family, friends, and the less fortunate as part of this important tradition.
Many sellers travel long distances to participate in the ‘Bakra Mela.’ Noor Hassan, who came from Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, said, “Every year during Eid, we come here to sell the goats. A goat’s price ranges from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh, depending entirely on their size and breed. We also have pairs of goats priced between Rs 1-2 lakh.”
Sakir Hussain, who brought around 100 goats from Mewat, shared insights into the market dynamics: “I brought 100 goats, of which 30 have been sold. After selling the rest, we will go back to celebrate Eid with our family.” The most common price range for goats is between Rs 25,000 and Rs 40,000, and they tend to sell quickly. The higher-priced goats, although fewer in number, also find buyers.
Among the notable sales, Shahrukh Khan, also from Haldwani, shared a story of his prized goat: “Allah Rakha” and “Hrithik” are among the high-value goats. The two-year-old goat, Hrithik, was originally priced at Rs 2 lakh but was sold for Rs 1.25 lakh after bargaining.
The ‘Bakra Mela’ at Meena Bazaar continues to be a significant event for both sellers and buyers, providing a platform for people to engage in the festive spirit of Bakrid. As the market thrums with activity, it underscores the cultural and religious importance of this annual event in the lives of many in the Muslim community.