In the narrow lanes near Jama Masjid, one of the capital’s oldest neighborhoods, practitioners such as Azhar Udeen release more than 100 pigeons from rooftop enclosures, guiding them through coordinated flights and endurance exercises.

The practice, known as Kabootarbaazi, derives its name from the Hindi-Urdu word for pigeon and was historically patronised by Mughal Empire rulers, who used trained birds for communication and sport.

Participants train pigeons over several months to navigate long distances and return to their roosts, often using sound cues to condition flight patterns. The birds are also occasionally raced, with handlers monitoring their formations and endurance.

Beyond the technical aspects, practitioners say the activity serves as a social and emotional outlet. Kahlifa Mohsin described the gatherings as a way to relieve stress and build community ties in the densely populated city.

Despite rapid urbanisation and changing lifestyles, small groups of enthusiasts continue to preserve the tradition, maintaining rooftop aviaries and informal training routines that reflect a cultural practice rooted in India’s historical past.