“We wanted to meet Salman Bhai somehow, to contact him. But being from a village, we did not realise how difficult that would be in Mumbai,” says Dhanaji Virkar, a farmer from Satara district in Maharashtra, whose unusual goat has turned him into an internet sensation ahead of Bakrid (Eid-ul-Adha).
Virkar, a resident of Maan taluka in Satara, recently went viral on social media after posting a video of his goat bearing a striking crescent-shaped mark on its forehead. In the video, he offers to sell the rare animal to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan at a concessional price.
Every year, in the run-up to Bakrid, livestock markets across India witness the arrival of unique and rare goats believed to carry special markings. Some sellers claim their goats bear the words “Allah” or “Mohammed” naturally imprinted on their bodies, while others showcase animals with crescent-and-star patterns. Such goats often attract huge crowds and astronomical prices, with enthusiastic buyers willing to spend lakhs — and sometimes even crores — to own them.
This year, one of the biggest attractions is Virkar’s “Crescent Goat” from Satara.
Speaking to Awaz-The Voice, Virkar narrated the story behind the animal and revealed his heartfelt wish to sell it to Salman Khan, fondly known as “Bhaijaan” among fans.
The goat was not purchased from a market. It was born in Virkar’s own shed around two-and-a-half years ago. Initially, it appeared no different from the other kids. But as it grew, a white patch on its forehead gradually became more prominent, eventually forming a perfect crescent shape.
“This goat was born to one of our domestic goats,” Virkar says. “At first, we didn’t pay much attention to the mark. But as it grew bigger, its beauty and majestic appearance became evident. We realised this was no ordinary goat — it was a ‘Crescent Goat’.”
Soon, word spread through the village and nearby areas. Curious visitors began flocking to Virkar’s shed to catch a glimpse of the animal. Conversations about the goat quickly turned into discussions about what many described as a rare wonder of nature.
Virkar soon realised that such an extraordinary goat might not fetch the right price in a rural market. He considered taking it to Mumbai, where demand for special Bakrid goats is much higher. But the journey from his small village to the bustling city seemed daunting.
“Taking the goat to Mumbai was beyond our reach,” he says. “There were travel expenses, accommodation issues, and we knew very little about the big livestock markets there.”
That is when he turned to social media.
Virkar uploaded a video of the goat on YouTube, hoping genuine buyers would contact him directly. The response exceeded all expectations.
“Ever since the video was uploaded, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing,” he says with a smile.
The video quickly went viral, attracting calls from traders and buyers in Mumbai, Pune, Malegaon, and even Hyderabad. Many expressed interest in purchasing the rare goat.
According to Virkar, crescent-marked goats hold special significance for many Muslims during Eid al-Adha.
“Some people make a mannat (wish) to Allah and promise that if their wish is fulfilled, they will sacrifice a Crescent Goat on Eid,” he explains. “That is why these goats are in such high demand.”
Virkar says buyers have already offered between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 12 lakh for the animal. But he hopes to receive around Rs 15 lakh. Yet, when it comes to Salman Khan, money takes a back seat.
“I uploaded the video last year, and when it went viral, a thought crossed my mind,” he says. “If somehow this reaches Salman Bhai and he contacts us, we will not think much about the money. We are ready to adjust the price because our wish is to give this goat to Bhaijaan.”
ALSO READ: Who clicked the first picture of Holy Kabba?
For Virkar, the Crescent Goat is not merely a prized animal — it is also a dream, one he hopes will someday lead him from a quiet village in Satara to the doorstep of Salman Khan in Mumbai.
