Pandharpuri is a black milk buffalo from south Maharashtra, famous for its very long horns, which reach past the shoulder blades. It is named after Pandharpur in Solapur district (NBAGR database) and is a hardy breed of dry country. Next door, in north Karnataka, farmers keep a similar long-horned buffalo, the Dharwadi (ICAR-CIRB).
How to recognise it
- Horns: very long; they sweep back past the shoulder blades, sometimes as far as the pin bones near the tail. Farmers name the shapes: Toki (back, up and twisted outwards, seen in about half the buffaloes), Bharkand (back and usually twisted) and Meti (flat and running down) (NBAGR database, ICAR-CIRB).
- Colour: usually black, from light to deep black; some are brown. A few have white marks on the forehead, legs or tail, and a white tail switch is common (NBAGR database, ICAR-CIRB).
- Face: long and narrow, with a very prominent, long, straight nasal bone (NBAGR database, TNAU).
- Size: medium and compact. Bulls stand about 140 cm and cows about 130 cm at the shoulder, and adult cows weigh about 416 kg on average (NBAGR database).
What it is good for
- Milk. NBAGR records about 1,790 kg of milk (about 1,700 litres) in a lactation, with about 8% fat (NBAGR database). With average village care in hot, dry country, Pandharpuri buffaloes give about 6–7 litres a day, and up to 15 litres with good care (ICAR-CIRB).
- Regular calving. The first calf comes at about 44 months, then one about every 13–14 months (NBAGR database); ICAR-CIRB notes the breed for a calf every 12–13 months (ICAR-CIRB).
- Work. NBAGR also lists draught work among its uses (NBAGR database).
- Hardy. It is well suited to dry conditions (NBAGR database) and is a good grazer (ICAR-CIRB).
- Milked at the door. In its home tract, a buffalo is often walked from house to house and milked at each customer's door, which can take 30–40 minutes in all (NBAGR database).
Where it is mainly found
The home tract is in south Maharashtra: Solapur district (Pandharpur, North and South Solapur, Barshi, Akkalkot, Sangola and Mangalvedha), Sangli district (Miraj, Walwa, Jath and Tasgaon) and Kolhapur district (Karveer, Shirol, Panhala, Radhanagari, Hatkanangale and Gadhinglaj) (NBAGR database). NBAGR registers it as a Maharashtra breed (breed register). The Gawli community has kept these buffaloes for milk for more than 150 years (ICAR-CIRB), and the 2013 breed survey counted about 2.9 lakh (NBAGR database).
Looking for Pandharpuri buffalo?
Kattutharai works across India. Search “Pandharpuri” in the app to look for Pandharpuri buffalo, or browse buffalo for sale near you. The seller names the breed and Kattutharai does not check it, so look at the animal yourself before you pay.
Rearing tips
- Feed. In the home tract, Pandharpuri buffaloes eat paddy and sorghum straw, dry and green grasses and sugarcane tops, with a soaked concentrate mix at milking time (NBAGR database). ICAR-CIRB says the breed does best with free grazing and moderate extra feed (ICAR-CIRB).
- Housing and cooling. They are usually kept in the open close to the house, some in sheds (NBAGR database). Give shade, and a wallow or water sprinkling at least twice a day in the hot months (ICAR-CIRB).
- Room for the horns. Long horns need space at the trough and in the vehicle, so that the animals do not hurt each other.
- Health. Vaccinate and deworm on the calendar in buffalo health.
Buying tips
- Look at the horns and face. Very long horns sweeping back past the shoulders, and a long, straight face, are the breed's marks (NBAGR database). Short, curled horns point to Murrah blood.
- Pandharpuri or Dharwadi? North Karnataka's Dharwadi buffaloes closely resemble Pandharpuri, and older reports called Pandharpuri buffaloes in north Karnataka "Dharwari" (ICAR-CIRB). NBAGR now registers Dharwadi as a separate Karnataka breed (breed register); see Dharwadi. Ask where the animal and its mother come from.
- Crosses are common, and the breed name in an ad is the seller's word; Kattutharai does not check it. See the animal yourself.
- See her milked, and check her age, udder and papers with buying a buffalo. A buffalo brought from Maharashtra needs a vet's certificate that she is fit to travel (AWBI).
Frequently asked questions
How much milk does a Pandharpuri buffalo give?
About 6–7 litres a day with average care, and up to 15 litres with good care (ICAR-CIRB); NBAGR's average is about 1,790 kg in a lactation (NBAGR database).
How long are Pandharpuri horns?
Very long: they reach beyond the shoulder blades and sometimes as far as the pin bones near the tail (NBAGR database).
Is Pandharpuri the same as Dharwadi?
No. They look alike and come from neighbouring areas, but NBAGR registers them as two breeds: Pandharpuri for Maharashtra and Dharwadi for Karnataka (breed register).
Next
Compare Pandharpuri with Dharwadi, Murrah and Jaffarabadi, or see all breeds in Buffalo farming: breeds, buying and care in South India. To find buffaloes near you, browse buffaloes for sale.