For homing-pigeon fanciers of Kashmir, this royal hobby has transformed into a sport, entertainment and business that keeps them away from drugs, depression and the daily drudges of life in a politically volatile region. These enthusiasts - from teenagers to octogenarians - share a common passion of rearing, breeding and flying these 'horses of the sky'. Some youngsters are breeding pigeons especially in rural areas and it is becoming an important emerging niche economy.
"It is a royal hobby which is now surviving in the houses of commoners," says Syeedna Ismail Hussain Banday, an engineer, who owns over 300 pigeons at his home in downtown Srinagar. He prides over his flock of pigeons. He has some literature on pigeon rearing, breeding, flying and racing, kept safe in several polythene wrappers in a box, which narrate the story of how Babar got thousands of pairs of pigeons when he came to India to establish the Mughal kingdom.
Hundreds of such pigeon fanciers gather in a playground in Rainawari area in downtown Srinagar on Fridays and Sundays every week. It is not just a market -- locally called Guder -- for sale of pigeons, but a communion of passion and brotherhood. "It is a sort of unburdening," says Altaf Ahmad Sofi, 35, a boutique owner and second-generation pigeon flier, who owns around 150 pigeons.
Pigeons worth ₹300 to several thousands are bought and sold every week. However, some costlier breeds are not brought to these open markets but sold at shops or residences after examinations by experts. 'Teddy' From Pakistan, 'Zafrani' From Kashmir.
"It is a royal hobby which is now surviving in the houses of commoners," says Syeedna Ismail Hussain Banday, an engineer, who owns over 300 pigeons at his home in downtown Srinagar. He prides over his flock of pigeons. He has some literature on pigeon rearing, breeding, flying and racing, kept safe in several polythene wrappers in a box, which narrate the story of how Babar got thousands of pairs of pigeons when he came to India to establish the Mughal kingdom.
Hundreds of such pigeon fanciers gather in a playground in Rainawari area in downtown Srinagar on Fridays and Sundays every week. It is not just a market -- locally called Guder -- for sale of pigeons, but a communion of passion and brotherhood. "It is a sort of unburdening," says Altaf Ahmad Sofi, 35, a boutique owner and second-generation pigeon flier, who owns around 150 pigeons.
Pigeons worth ₹300 to several thousands are bought and sold every week. However, some costlier breeds are not brought to these open markets but sold at shops or residences after examinations by experts. 'Teddy' From Pakistan, 'Zafrani' From Kashmir.
