Photos | Kichchu Haisodu: A trial by fire for cattle in Karnataka

Where Tamil Nadu has Jallikattu, the state of Karnataka celebrates Makar Sankranti with its own bovine sport called Kichchu Haisodu, where cattle and herders jump through burning haystacks seeking good fortune and protection in the summer months ahead.

Updated on: Jan 17, 2018 12:42 PM IST

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Updated on Jan 17, 2018 12:42 PM

The advent of spring draws celebrations in several forms across India. Harvest festivals such as Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Lohri symbolise the waning winter and a movement towards warmer days ahead. In pockets of Karnataka, farmers mark the occasion with Kichchu Haisodu – an age old custom where herder and cattle jump through burning haystacks in hope of austerity and protection for their animals. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

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A boy poses with his cow during Kichchu Haisodu celebrations at Kanakanapalya in Bengaluru on January 15, 2018. While earlier predominant in the state’s villages, the practice is now also observed around urban centres like Bengaluru, albeit confined to the status of an annual sport. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

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In Kanakanapalya near Jayanagar in Bengaluru, almost 40 cows and bulls were decorated with fanfare by elders. Ribbons, vermillion, garlands and elaborate halters were used to decorate livestock. Some, as pictured above even used lights to make their cattle stand out from the rest. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

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Agrarian custom holds that the ritual of jumping cattle through fire has benefits for livestock and its owners. Bovine participants are bathed in turmeric and have their hooves and horns painted to protect them from damage. The leaps are believed to kill ticks and insect eggs that may have latched on to the animal’s skin and the herders’ participation brings good luck. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

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An idol of the goddess Patalamma, an incarnation of Durga, is carried during Sankranti celebrations in Bengaluru. Nearly forty heads of cattle also marched in the procession after being worshipped at a temple before sunset. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

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Children seen taking haystacks in preparation for Kichchu Haisodu bonfires. As evening set, festivities turned to the main attraction of the day with crowds thronging to balconies and lining streets to witness the leaps through fire. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

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People seen with their cattle out on the streets, garlanded and painted for the ceremonial prayers and Kichchu Haisodu on the occasion of Sankranti at Kanakanapalya in Bengaluru. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

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A man jumps through a bonfire, with a cow in tow in Bengaluru. While accidents are rare, both human and bovine participants risk singing their body hair and more severe injuries in case of missteps or falls. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)

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Flames lick a cow as a man leads it through a burning haystack in Bengaluru’s Kanakanapalya locality. Crowds roared at the spectacle in the neighbourhood’s narrow lanes, even through the animals being led displayed reluctance in performing the act. (Arijit Sen / HT Photo)