A Kashmiri pigeon handler checks a pigeon in the attic of a house in Srinagar,kashmir.Pigeon keeping, which already became popular in the ancient Mughal era, is a popular pastime among men in the old quarters of Srinagar, where a large community of enthusiasts follows the hobby in Kashmir. Flocks of pigeons on rooftops and marketplaces and even in the courtyards of mosques and shrines are a common sight in the city. Pigeon keepers sell their birds, among them even some rare breeds, twice a week on Fridays and Sundays. The 'Tuzk-e-Babri' ('Letters of Babur'), the memoirs of 16th century Mughal Emperor Babur (1483-1530) contains numerous mentions of the sport and indicates the centuries-long history of pigeon keeping and trade in the region.

News Source :EPA