Trading of goats, bucks and chyangra begins in Kalanki

As Bada Dashain approaches, trading of goats, bucks, sheep, chyangra and chickens has begun in Kalanki, Kathmandu. Activity has picked up around Kalanki's main road as buyers arrive to pick animals for the festival.

To avoid crowding in the main market area, traders have started keeping and selling animals along roadsides outside the main market. Goats and bucks brought from various districts are on sale here. Trading is also taking place in open fields and lanes in Balkhu, Koteshwor, Sallaghari and Tukucha areas of the valley.

With no large open grounds available, lanes and intersections have themselves become temporary animal markets. Himalayan chyangra brought from Lo Manthang in Mustang and the Tibet border area are walked to the capital via Jomsom, Myagdi and Pokhara.

The tradition of families and relatives gathering to eat meat during Dashain drives up demand for livestock during this period. Traders set prices based on the animal's size, weight and quality, but prices fluctuate across the market.

Buyers have been advised to compare prices at different locations and check the health and weight of animals before purchasing. Proper management by concerned authorities is seen as necessary to ensure roadside trading does not obstruct vehicle movement.