IN THIS POST
– Lahore
– Karachi
– Islamabad
With Eid ul Adha just around the corner, cow and bakra mandis all over Pakistan are more crowded than ever. No matter which city or area you live in, you cannot leave your house without coming across people taking their cows, goats or camels for a walk or simply caring for them.
Celebrated by Muslims across the world, Eid ul Adha is one of the two most important Islamic holidays. It is observed on the 10th day of Zilhaj and marks the conclusion of Hajj, the annual religious pilgrimage to Makkah. Also known as the ‘Festival of the Sacrifice,’ this religious festival is marked by sacrificing animals such as cows, goats, sheep and camel to honour and commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son in order to obey Allah’s command.
Needless to say, the number of cattle markets across the city multiply as the Eid gets closer. Of course, every city has a few permanent cow and bakra mandis that remain functional throughout the year. Though as soon as the lunar month of Zilhaj begins, small makeshift cattle markets begin popping up all over the place.
However, before we begin to discuss the location and features of cattle markets in Pakistan, let’s quickly talk about the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the provincial governments to prevent the spread of coronavirus during Eid-ul-Adha.
Owing to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Pakistan, the healthcare and government officials have asked people to wear face masks, carry a bottle of hand sanitiser, and practise social distancing while visiting the cattle markets across the country. Separate entry and exit gates have also been established at these markets along with hand-washing stations. Moreover, this time around, children and the elderly are not allowed to visit the cow and bakra mandis as they are most susceptible to catching the respiratory infection, which can also be deadly.
Now, if you are wondering which cattle market you should visit to purchase your sacrificial animal, here are the most famous cow and bakra mandis in the three biggest cities of Pakistan.
Most Famous Cow and Bakra Mandis in Lahore
These are the biggest and most popular cow and bakra mandis in Lahore.
Shahpur Kanjran Mandi
Considered one of the oldest and most popular cattle markets in Lahore, the Shahpur Kanjran Cattle Market is also one of the largest in the area in terms of a number of sales and visitors. This bakra mandi in Lahore remains operational throughout the year, but there is no match for how crowded it gets during the Eid season.
The sprawling cow mandi in Lahore is spread over 600 kanal and sells animals from top cattle farms in the region. The government has also constructed several public toilets in the area while water filtration plants to aid sellers and visitors are currently under construction.
Location: Shahpur Kanjran, Lahore.
Saggian Mandi
One of the most famous bakra mandis in Lahore, Saggian Mandi on the outskirts of the city is largely popular among the residents of the city owing to its large variety of cattle. The animals in this mandi are available at considerably lower prices compared to the makeshift cattle markets in the city, which plays a huge part in its popularity.
Although it is known as a bakra mandi, buyers can also find other animals such as cows and sheep in this cattle market.
Location: Saggian near Lahore-Jaranwala Road, Karachi.
Township Cattle Market
The bakra mandi in Township, Lahore, is also a pretty popular option for those looking to buy animals for sacrifice. Owing to its prime location, this cattle market is easily accessible from all parts of the city and sees a large number of visitors on a daily basis.
Moreover, vendors from various parts of Punjab set up their stalls in this Lahore bakra mandi, which means you can find animals in varying price ranges in this cattle market.
Location: Near Niazi Adda, Township, Lahore.
Kalashah Kaku Cattle Market on G.T. Road and Kasur Cattle Market right outside Lahore are also pretty famous. For Eid ul Adha, bakra mandis are also set up in DHA Rahbar Phase 11 and DHA Phase 9 next to Hadyara drain among other areas.
Most Famous Cow and Bakra Mandis in Karachi
Here are the top cow and bakra mandis in Karachi you should check out.
Super Highway (Sohrab Goth)
Also known as the Sohrab Goth Cow Mandi, the sprawling mandi near Super Highway is considered Asia’s biggest cattle market – and rightfully so. Spread over 40 blocks next to the highway between Karachi and Hyderabad, this cattle market is functional throughout the year. Given the influx of sellers from all over Sindh, you can find cows, goats, camels and sheep in varying price ranges in this market.
The Super Highway Cattle Market also comprise VIP tents for the cattle from high-end cattle farms in Pakistan, which serve as its biggest attraction during the season.
It is definitely the most famous cow mandi in Karachi if not Pakistan.
Location: Sector 21-B, Gulzar-e-Hijri, Scheme 33, Karachi.
Malir Mandi
Malir Cattle Market, more commonly known as Malir Bakra Mandi, is yet another permanent bakra mandi in Karachi. Open 24 hours a day, this cattle market is filled with buyers throughout the year, but get extremely crowded in the days leading up to Eid ul Adha as sellers from the rural areas begin to arrive with their cattle.
The average price of a goat in this Karachi bakra mandi can range between PKR 35,000 to PKR 1 lakh and more depending on the animal’s height, weight and breed. There is also a large adjoining cow mandi in Malir that’s rather popular among Karachiites and is among the most popular places to buy cattle in the city.
Location: Bakra Piri, Malir, Karachi.
Bakra Piri
If you are looking to buy goat this Eid ul Adha, visiting Bakra Piri in Lyari Town might be your best option. This market is also operational throughout the year and is considered one of the most affordable bakra mandis in Karachi, owing to the fact that cattle purchased from Bakra Piri is then sold for relatively higher prices in makeshift markets across the city.
It is one of the oldest and most visited cattle markets in Karachi. Thanks to the construction of Lyari Expressway, this bakra mandi is easily accessible from all areas of the city.
Location: Singo Lane, Lyari Town, Karachi.
Notable cow and bakra mandis in Karachi are also set up in Safoora Goth, Kamran Chowrangi, Karsaz, Landhi, Manghopir and Karachi Cantonment area near the FTC Flyover, to name a few.
Most Famous Cow and Bakra Mandis in Islamabad
Cattle owners are only allowed to set up one bakra mandi in Islamabad.
I-12 Cattle Market
More commonly known as the Islamabad Cow Market, this cattle market is set up exclusively in Sector I-12. Every year, vendors from rural areas around the twin cities make their way to the meticulously planned capital city to sell their animals.
The prices of cattle in this vast cow mandi in Islamabad vary depending on the breed and age of the animal. However, given the fact it’s the only designated cattle market in the city, the total number of animals is also significantly higher than the usual bakra mandis in nearby towns.
Location: I.J.P. Road, Sector I-12, Islamabad.
So, have you been to any of these bakra mandis yet? If not, which cattle markets are you planning to visit this Eid ul Adha?
You can send us your suggestions and queries at blog@zameen.com.
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