Thrissur: He is always surrounded by two caretakers. A strict routine of bathing, oil massages and exercise. Four lavish meals a day. The life of Khuman Khali, a 10-year-old buffalo, is nothing short of royal. Belonging to the Murrah breed, he was brought from Punjab two and a half years ago by Kattur native Shanavas Abdullah. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, no other bull in South India matches his size and height.

Khuman remains the cynosure of all eyes at exhibitions across Punjab and Haryana. He belongs to a lineage of record-breaking Punjabi buffaloes. In fact, he is the offspring of Khali, a famous buffalo that was once a favourite for cattle enthusiasts and farmers across India. Khuman’s extraordinary growth and gentle temperament make him stand out.

According to Shanavas, Khuman is the giant of his bloodline. Buffaloes from Khali’s lineage are rare in Kerala. After traveling through Haryana and Punjab in search of the best buffaloes, Shanavas finally found Khuman—at a hefty price. But this is not his first giant bull. Some of Kerala’s biggest bulls, including Sonu, Saddam, Hussain, and Sheikh, have been raised under his care.

Wonder Menu

To ensure proper growth and body maintenance, Khuman is given a balanced diet. He is fed four times a day and bathed frequently to keep his body cool. To maintain fitness, he is taken for three walks daily around the farm. Every day, he consumes around 50 kilograms of fresh grass.

His balanced meals include a mix of grains and oil cakes. The diet consists of cottonseed cake, grain powder, various types of bran, and chickpeas. In the morning, he is given around 10 kilograms of feed, with the quantity gradually reduced in later meals. After bathing, mustard oil is massaged all over his body to keep his skin shiny and healthy.