India, Nov. 15 -- At a Sadar celebration in Moti Nagar held last week, three buffaloes stood at the centre of the festivities as residents gathered to watch them. Two belonged to local owners, and one was brought from outside. Held between 7 pm and 11 pm, the evening was, for the people who organise and take part, an expression of a tradition passed down through generations. But the growing scale of the celebrations raises questions about the care of the animals at their centre.

Sadar is traditionally observed around Diwali. The main gathering at Narayanguda took place on 10 November, two days after the festival of lights. The Telangana government has declared Sadar Sammelan a state festival. Celebrations now stretch well beyond the orig...