As Sankranthi approaches, festive energy rises across the Telugu states. The three-day celebrations in the Godavari districts stand out. Traditions, pride, and competition come together, making this period intense and deeply rooted in local culture.
Cock fights remain the biggest attraction during the festival. Locals and visitors gather in large numbers to witness them. Huge amounts of money exchange hands over three days, making the event both festive and high stakes.
Much attention goes into preparing the cocks for these fights. Selected birds are named dega, kaki dega, kokkirayi, and nemali. Their special diet and preparation usually begin from the Dassera season itself.
Training also starts around the same time. Once every fifteen days, organisers prepare steamed water using vayilaku, vepaku, kunkudaku, usiraku, vattiveru, and pasupu. The cocks are bathed in this mixture as part of the routine.
After the bath, the cocks are wrapped in gunny bags to retain the steam. They are also made to swim and perform physical exercises. Organisers believe this method improves stamina and fighting ability during the final contest.
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