Puttur: Since there is a tradition in Tulu Nadu to sacrifice chickens to the spirits during the Pattanaje celebration, the demand for county chickens has grown massively. Hence the price for a kg of the chicken has crossed Rs 420.
In accordance to the beliefs of Tulu Nadu, Pattanaje’s Agelu and Tambiladi are conducted on May 25
th. On the tenth day, it is customary to sacrifice chicken to the spirits, keep sesame water and follow other processes along with the offering of prayers. On this day, the devotees’ plead before Guliga and Bhairava spirit and offer pledges. Since there exists a belief for the conduction of Bhoota Kola until the tenth day after which flows the process of removing of the anklets, the demand for country chickens rises drastically in the village until the tenth day.
Price has crossed Rs 420 per kg
On Friday, common country fowl has been sold at the cost of Rs 420 per kg. Meanwhile, the hybrid country fowls imported from Mandya, parts of Mysuru and Tamil Nadu are being sold at Rs 300 per kg.
No home rearers
The taste of the meat of country fowls is extra tasty. Some people in the rural areas rear country fowls. There is extreme demand for the bird the tenth day and get sold at any demanded price. Observing the demand for country fowls, farms exclusively for country fowls are taking birth in the similar model of broiler and Tyson chicken farms. There are two such farms at Padil in Puttur. During the season, queues form near the country fowl farms. Around 20 quintal of country chicken gets sold in a week from the two shops here. These chickens are procured from Chennai since they are heavier. Although Girija chicken were available as an alternative for country fowls, currently there is a greater demand for the country chickens being imported from Mysuru and Mandya.
Pattanaji season
During the Pattanaji season, more than 10 quintals of country fowl get sold in a week. People come from various locations including Mangaluru, Bantwal, Sullia and other places to purchase country fowl. Post Pattanaji, there will be no spirit adoration and consequently the demand for the chicken falls, explains Mohan Shetty, a trader.
