Sadar Buffalo Festival 2025 in Hyderabad – Diwali Sadar Bull Carnival of Yadav Community

Sadar Festival, popularly known as Sadar Buffalo Carnival of Yadavas, is observed immediately after Diwali in Hyderabad and Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh. Sadar Buffalo Festival 2025 date is October 19 to 23. The major highlight of the Sadar festival is the exhibition of bulls or male buffalos. It is a proud day for the Yadav community and thousands of people arrive to witness the Sadar Carnival.

Sadar Buffalo Festival Date

Please note that in 2025, the government had declared October 19 as the official date of the festival.

Sadar Festival is observed from the previous day of Diwali to the second day after Deepavali. The festival takes place during the Diwali period and the dates can be any day in various parts of Hyderabad during the five days of Diwali.

• Usually on the Deepavali day, the festival is held at Narsingi’s cattle market (October 20).
• The day after Diwali it is held at Khairatabad.
• The biggest festival is held two days after Diwali at Narayanguda.

The parading and the festivities last till midnight.

On the day, members of the Yadav community exhibit the strongest and the most powerful male buffalos. The buffalos are carefully selected by the elders in the family and are then beautifully decorated and paraded by its owners on streets.

Some people also perform stunts with their buffalos to show the strength of the animal.

Competitions are also held to find out the best buffalo.

🐃 Sadar Festival (Dunnapothula Panduga) - Highlights

History & Origins

• Celebrates buffalo cattle, recognizing their importance in agrarian life.

• Traditionally observed by the Yadav community (a pastoralist caste group).

• Also known locally as Dunnapothula Panduga (Festival of Male Buffaloes).

• Rooted in ancient mythology—inspired by Dwapar Yug, when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain to protect villagers and cattle.

• Initiated in 1942 by the Yadavs in Hyderabad.

• Declared a state festival in 2024 by the Telangana government to honor its cultural value and public appeal.

Festival Celebrations

• Features a grand parade of buffaloes, heavily decorated with:

  • Garlands and flower ornaments

  • Painted horns in vibrant colors

  • Anklets with bells that jingle with every step

• Buffaloes are paraded through the streets accompanied by:

  • Traditional Dappu drums, folk music, and dance

  • Community-wide festivities with food, lights, and cheer

• Known for its energetic and competitive spirit among buffalo owners showing off their prized animals.

Celebration of Buffalo Bulls - No Prizes Or Winners

• Freshly shaved and shimmering with a coat of mustard oil, the buffalo bulls were an imposing sight.

• Parts of their bodies were covered with red cloth.

• The bulls towered over the men who controlled them.

• It is purely a celebration of bulls—there are no prizes and no winners.

• Everyone who owns buffalo bulls brings them out to demonstrate how they can control their animals.

Major Celebration Hubs in Hyderabad

• Narayanguda – Hosts the biggest gathering, known as the "Pedha Sadar" (Grand Sadar)

• Shaikpet – A major venue with high buffalo turnout and lively crowds

• Saidabad – Famous for colorful and energetic festivities

• Ameerpet – A cultural hotspot with multiple events and performances

• Khairatabad – Prominent area for buffalo parade and music events

🧠 Rare & Lesser-Known Facts

• 🐃 Some of the buffaloes are specially groomed for months, with specific diets including almonds, milk, jaggery, and ghee.

• 🐃 Owners often spend lakhs of rupees to decorate and train their buffaloes for the parade.

• Competitions like "Most Handsome Buffalo" or "Strongest Walk" are held informally among locals.

• Some buffaloes have pedigrees traced over generations, considered family pride.

• Special folk songs praising the buffaloes and Lord Krishna are composed and performed every year.

• Buffaloes have dedicated social media accounts, followed by thousands, showcasing their journey toward Sadar.

• Tourists from other states and even NRIs visit Hyderabad just to witness this one-of-a-kind cattle festival.

Cultural Impact

• Encourages community bonding and rural pride among the Yadavs and surrounding communities.

• Promotes animal respect and care, often overlooked in mainstream celebrations.

• Acts as a platform for cultural exchange, drawing attention from urban and global audiences.

• Boosts local tourism and economy during the festive season.

The Vanishing Bulls of Hyderabad

• Hyderabad's bull-rearing tradition has significantly diminished. The area once had many families raising bulls, but their numbers have now dwindled dramatically. Today, only a few bulls remain, and the largest animals are now sourced from Haryana. This decline is mainly due to the younger generations' lack of interest in animal husbandry.

Sadar festival is part of the agrarian culture. In many regions in India, cows and ox are worshipped during Diwali period like Govatsa Dwadashi in Maharashtra.