Amaravati, January 09, 2026: In Andhra Pradesh's coastal districts like Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari, and Konaseema, makeshift arenas with tents, galleries, food stalls, and betting spots are emerging for "Kodi Pandelu" during the harvest festival.
Trained roosters sell for ₹10,000 to ₹1 lakh on social media, and bets range from ₹5,000 to ₹2 lakh per fight, attracting thousands including youth, professionals, NRIs, and visitors from cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
The practice, rooted in tradition alongside kite flying and bull shows, faces prohibition under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974, due to animal cruelty and gambling.
