King of Rajbari: 20 maunds in weight, price 8 lakhs!

A huge Shahiwal bull, weighing about 20 maunds or 800 kg, has been prepared for sacrifice in Rajbari ahead of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha! A farmer named Subash Sikder has raised this cow like a child for four years. He has been given the name—"King of Rajbari". He is asking for 8 lakh taka.

Subash Sikder, 61, a resident of Laxmanarayanpur village in Banibah Union of Rajbari Sadar Upazila, said, "I have raised Raja like a child for four years. I have now decided to sell him for Eid. It is not possible to take him to the city market, so if I find a good buyer from home, I will sell him at a reasonable price."

The cow is as big as it looks, but it is also calm in nature. It is kept in a small cowshed, where fans and lights have to be kept on all day. The diet includes a mixture of hay, raw grass, corn, khesari and jowar. In the scorching heat, the king is bathed with shampoo and soap two to three times a day.

An eager crowd gathers every day to see the king of Rajbari. Some say that this is the biggest bull in Rajbari so far this year. Visitor Sujan Bishnu said, “This is the biggest cow I have seen. Just like the name, it has a majestic appearance.”

Subash Sikder’s son Prashant Sikder said, “We have raised the king with a lot of hard work. It has cost a lot. Our target sale price is 8.5 lakh taka. However, if we find a good buyer, a discount can be given subject to discussion.”

According to the District Livestock Office, there are 47,963 sacrificial animals in Rajbari district this year. Of these, 24,260 are cows, 232 are buffaloes and 23,471 are goats and sheep. There will be a surplus of 6,362 cattle as per the district's demand.

Rajbari Sadar Upazila Livestock Officer Dr. Md. Omar Faruk said, "Shahiwal breed cows are usually large in size. However, it is very difficult to raise the cows with care for so many years. We have ensured that the cow has not been given any harmful food or steroids."

The king of Rajbari is now not just a cow—it is a story of passion, love and the perseverance of a farmer.