Deonar Bakra Mandi - India's Largest Goat Market

Deonar is a Mumbai suburban area famous for hosting the largest dumping ground in Mumbai. Apart from that, Deonar is also famous for having the largest abattoir in the city as also being host to the largest Bakra Mandi (goat market) in India, perhaps in Asia, at the time of Bakra Eid, the Muslim festival that involves sacrificing goats.

Eid-Ul-Adha or Bakra Eid falls around 2 months and 10 days after Ramadan Eid. Around 2 weeks before Bakra Eid, Shepherds from across India flock to Mumbai to sell their livestock at exorbitant prices.

Goat Prices In Mumbai, India: A goat that costs around Rs. 10,000 on a normal day during the off-season will be sold for not less than Rs. 30,000 at the time of Bakra Eid. The prices soar as the date of Bakra Eid comes closer.

Andul Bakras:  The most famous breed among young buyers is the Andul breed of Bakras. These goats are not castrated and are sexually aroused all the time. Andul goats are also very aggressive in nature and fight with each other. Youngsters buy these goats for show-off purpose. In Muslim housing societies, the most aggressive Andul Bakra is always the most popular one.

Khassi Bakras:  The most expensive breed is the Khassi breed. "Khashi" is basically a male goat which had been castrated. A castrated goat develops fat & the meat is tender. Their meat do not stink like that of Andul Bakras. These goats are not aggressive in nature and can be priced between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 1 Crore. Yes!! you read it right. Many goats are sold for lakhs of rupees and some for even as high as 1 Crore. There are buyers in Mumbai who do not mind paying that amount in the name of sacrifice to god.

Barbaras: Barbari goats are deer like goats with loads of fat in their meat. These goats are fast runners and are not aggressive in nature. They are bought for their beauty. The more beautiful the goat is, the higher will be its price.

The best time to visit Deonar Bakra Mandi is during the day time and 10 days before Bakri Eid. If you plan to buy a goat, make sure you bargain hard. Many a times, the owner of a goat will first quote Rs. 90,000 for a goat but won't mind to sell it off for Rs. 40,000 if bargained well. Only the ones who have sharp bargaining skills can manage to get goats at reasonable prices otherwise most of the people are ripped off.