"Oottukuzhi Velu’, a buffalo turned a viral star on social media; it has even fan following.

Following this, many people came to purchase the buffalo and the owner got an offer of Rs 40 lakh too. But Pattathanam native Anvar, the owner denied the attractive offer as he was very close to the animal. This is the story of Velu, a giant buffalo at Kilikollur in the Kollam district of Kerala. Apart from the owner, the natives of the village are also fond of Velu.

5.15 feet height, 8.5 feet length, and dark skin are the major features of this bull. He also has a long tail that touches the ground. Anvar purchased this bull from his friend at Kuttipuram 6 years ago. During that time, Velu was only 6 months old. Velu’s mother also looked majestic.

According to veterinary doctors, Velu belongs to the Murrah breed. It is for the first time, a buffalo born in Kerala grew up to be a giant one, said the doctors.

Two years back, Velu weighed 1300 kg. Obviously, his weight must have increased now.

Velu eats 40-kilo watermelon every day. If watermelon is not available, jackfruit will be served. His diet includes 10 eggs, fish oil, ayurvedic medicine called Lehyam, Rumec powder, and cattle feed.

Though Velu lives inside a grass field, he is not interested to eat grass. Around Rs 1000-1500 is spent on Velu’s daily food.

Anvar would take Velu all decorated up for programs similar to that caparisoned elephant. Velu wears wear a chain with a board displaying his name and date of birth, a bell on his neck, and anklets. He looks majestic like an elephant while heading for programs with all these decorations.

Velu used to take part in "Kettu Kazcha", related to temple festivals. He would accompany the person who is dressed up like Yamraj.

Velu has bagged several prizes in cattle exhibitions. In August, he will attend the exhibition in Ernakulam.

Anvar is engaged in the business of cattle sales. "I dropped my plan to sell Velu because of his affection towards me and majestic look. Velu is not bothered about rain or sunlight, so he is chained in an open space close to my house," said Anvar.

Eravipuram MLA M Noushad arrived to cut the cake during Vasu’s 3rd birthday celebrations. Though a minister promised to attend Velu’s sixth birthday, the celebrations were canceled as he entered quarantine. Velu is such a popular star.

Murrah Buffalo
The Murrah buffalo is a breed of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) mainly kept for milk production. It originates in the Punjab and Haryana states of India, where it is kept in the districts of Bhiwani, Hisar, Rohtak, Jind, Jhajhar, Fatehabad, Gurgaon, and the capital region of Delhi. A Murrah buffalo at the Lakshmi Dairy Farm in Punjab set a record of 26.335 kg of milk in the 2016 National Livestock Competition and Expo.

It has been used to improve the milk production of dairy buffalo in other countries, such as Italy, Bulgaria, and Egypt. In Brazil, this breed of buffalo is used for the production of both meat and milk. Murrah sells for a high price.

Among Indian buffalo breeds, Murrah is noted to have the highest milk yield.