Horse, bullock cart races add to Sankanti fervour at this village in Anakapalli district

Munagapaka, a village surrounded by industries in Anakapalli district, is gearing up to host the annual traditional bullock cart and horse race as a part of the Sankranti celebrations. Elaborate arrangements are being made for the 15th edition of the race scheduled to be held at the village, situated some 30 km away from Visakhapatnam city, on January 15.

Munagapaka, a village surrounded by industries in Anakapalli district, is gearing up to host the annual traditional bullock cart and horse race as a part of the Sankranti celebrations.

Elaborate arrangements are being made for the 15th edition of the race scheduled to be held at the village, situated some 30 km away from Visakhapatnam city, on January 15.

A ring for the race has been prepared in a four-acre field near the Sri Rama temple in the village, which is known for cultivating sugarcane. The bulls and horses run in separate races. The cart or the horse that covers the one-kilometre ring in the shortest time is declared the winner. Usually, each cart takes two to two and a half minutes to finish the race.

The villagers say that the races are quite different from Jallikattu organised in Tamil Nadu or similar competitions held in Krishna and Guntur. Bullocky, who drives the cart, is specially trained for the competition.

So far, 15 bullock cart owners and four horse owners have registered their names for the races.

The owners of the horses are from Bheemili, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari district. The bullock carts are from the surrounding villages of Munagapaka.

The races, being jointly organised by Gowri Youth, Munagapaka Rythu Sangam and Santhabayala Youth, are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. The participants are being charged a fee of ₹200.