Pigeon Flying Package

AGRA: It was a day when people of different faiths put aside their religious differences and came together to participate at the six-day game of pigeon-flying (also known as kulkulbazi and kabootarbazi) at Kuberpur, 20 km from Agra, that began on Thursday. People gathered to showcase their skills as they controlled the birds with peculiar call signs. The six-day long event started on a peaceful note on Thursday without any police and administrative intervention despite a gathering of 10,000 onlookers and participants.

"It is the love of 'kabootarbazi' that has overpowered the fire of communalism," said Dinesh Chand ChaudharyUstad, president of the Agra Kabootarbazi association and head of the six-day kulkulbazi event, which started at Kuberpur. Dinesh Chand Chaudhary learned how to train pigeons from his "ustad" (teacher), Nannu Khan. Chaudhary now has more than a dozen "khalifas" (those who keep and train pigeons) under him who are learning the art from him.

"Kabootarbazi is a practice which is widespread in India and can be traced back to ancient times. Mughal emperor Akbar was fascinated with 'kabootarbazi'. The game was banned for years but it was revived in 2004 by the DM of Agra at that time. The event draws some of the best pigeon fanciers of the city and nearby areas, including Delhi, Firozabad and Mainpuri. It is now attracting more and more youngsters with each passing year," said Dinesh Chand Choudhary.