Eid-ul-Azha is not only about sacrifice and religious duty; it carries its own atmosphere of excitement, preparation, family bustle and joy. At its centre is the qurbani animal, and the cattle haat is the life of the festival. Some now buy cattle online from home to save time, but the feeling of buying a cow at the haat cannot be found on any screen.

Going to the haat is not just buying a cow; it is a social, family and emotional ritual. At home there are discussions about getting ready, who to go with and which haat to visit. Father and son, uncle and nephew or a group of friends form a small team. Whatever the time, going to the haat at least once seems to be part of Eid itself.

Inside the haat come the lowing of cattle, sellers' calls, bargaining and crowds of animals. The thrill of finding the one you like, the moment of eye contact, judging strength by the horns and health by the gait: all of it is a kind of game and a skill.

Stroking the cow, checking its teeth and then deciding to buy is a process. It takes time and effort but brings a certain pleasure. Many say, "The real fun of Eid starts at the haat." Bargaining creates a lively scene that draws in the people around. This experience cannot be had shopping online.

Still, online cattle markets have real advantages. Because of heat, crowds, illness or busy schedules, many are choosing cows from photos and videos online. Place an order and the cow arrives home on the set day. In a word, clean and hassle-free.

Yet many do not feel fulfilled. Buying a cow at the haat builds a kind of relationship with it. Bringing it home by hand, naming it, the children's delight: that human touch does not come through technology. The neighbours' curiosity as you return home with the cow in the afternoon, and people on the road turning to look, are what stay in the memory of Eid-ul-Azha.

Giving the cow water, feeding it and the children taking photos all mean more with a cow brought home from the haat yourself. Such a bond does not form with a cow bought through a machine.

So going to the haat, looking and bargaining together form an essential part of preparing for Eid-ul-Azha. It is not just buying an animal but a symbol of warm bonds with family and society.

Of course, for practical reasons and convenience, buying online is the right choice for many. But those who go to the haat and bring the cow home with their own hands have a somewhat more memorable Eid.

Eid comes and goes. The sacrifice is made and the meat distributed. But the memories remain: going to the haat on a hot afternoon, the thrill of bargaining, and the timeless joy of first laying a hand on the cow's back.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.