Rajahmundry Man Wins Record Rs 1.53 Crore in Sankranti Cockfight
A man from Rajahmundry has reportedly won a staggering Rs 1.53 crore in a cockfight ring at Tadepalligudem in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. This event occurred during the recent Sankranti festival. The bout attracted thousands of spectators and gained significant attention on social media platforms.
Highest-Ever Betting in Telugu States
This win marks the highest-ever betting amount recorded for a cockfight during the harvest festival in the Telugu states. The previous record stood at Rs 1 crore, which was also set in Tadepalligudem town during last year's Sankranti celebrations. This year's betting increased by Rs 53 lakh, representing a little over 50 percent rise from the previous highest amount.
The cockfight bout lasted only a few minutes. It took place at Paiboyina Venkata Ramaiah's ring in Tadepalligudem. The fight featured a 'Sethuva' breed rooster owned by Gudivada Prabhakar and a 'Dega' breed belonging to K Ramesh Raju.
Main Attraction During Festivities
This fight served as the main attraction during the Sankranti festivities in the region. It was also the most expensive cockfight event. Ramesh Raju's team faced no boundaries as they clinched the thrilling victory and the massive bounty of Rs 1.53 crore.
Despite strict orders against cockfights in the state, the activity continued unabated during the three-day harvest festival. Punters reportedly ignored court orders, and efforts by local authorities to prevent cockfights in the Godavari districts proved futile. These districts are famous for hosting high-stakes betting events.
Police to Investigate the Bout
West Godavari SP Adnan Nayeem Asmi stated that police will check the cockfight bout. He expressed doubts about the huge amount reportedly involved in the event. According to him, organizers might be intentionally hiking the betting amount to draw larger crowds.
Historical Tradition Turned Betting Event
Cockfights are considered a traditional activity during the harvest festival in the delta regions of the Godavari and Krishna rivers. This tradition dates back several centuries. It gained popularity after the stabilization of the Godavari and Krishna delta in the later half of the 19th century. This stabilization followed the construction of anicuts across the two major rivers in the coastal Andhra region.
Historians note that cockfighting initially started as a sportive event. However, as money flow increased from agricultural activities due to the anicuts, it gradually transformed into a betting event. Sharp knives are now attached to the legs of fighter roosters, intensifying the stakes.
Hundreds of crores of rupees change hands in betting during cockfights in these two delta regions. This highlights the deep-rooted cultural and economic significance of the practice, despite legal prohibitions.
