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Bhopal/Chitrakoot, Oct 23 (IANS) The ancient city of Chitrakoot, situated on the banks of the sacred Mandakini river in Satna district, recently witnessed a lively conclusion of the 350-year-old “Gadha ka Mela” (donkey fair), a tradition that began during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Held every year after Diwali along with the Annakoot festival, this three-day spectacle is not only a cultural marvel but also a bustling market that attracts traders from all over India.
Chitrakote city (MP) borders Uttar Pradesh. An estimated 5,000 donkeys and mules were traded at this year’s fair and the turnover is expected to exceed Rs 1 crore.
Traders from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand participated, and demonstrated the strength, breed and gait-qualities of animals required for construction and brick kiln work.
One can find photos, comments and tags of donkeys, mules and even horses on social media. The fair’s undeniable charm lies in its quirky tradition of naming donkeys after Bollywood celebrities.
This year’s showstopper was a donkey named ‘Sunny Deol’, which was initially priced at Rs 1.5 lakh but after spirited bargaining eventually sold for Rs 1.05 lakh. Its popularity created a stir throughout the fair grounds.
Another crowd-puller was ‘Shahrukh Khan’, which earned Rs 80,000, while bids for ‘Salman’, ‘Katrina’ and ‘Madhuri’ also increased.
Interestingly, Lawrence Bishnoi’s mule, which made headlines last year, failed to attract buyers despite bidding going up to Rs 1.25 lakh. There is no formal organizer for the fair but is managed by local self-governing bodies, transforming the serene river banks into a carnival of color and commerce that creates a bond between the people of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Decorated donkeys parade to the beat of traditional drums, while traders and buyers enthusiastically bargain in the autumn sunshine.
The event has its historical roots dating back to the time when Aurangzeb’s army faced shortage of horses, leading to the import of mules from Afghanistan and the beginning of this unique fair.
Now considered to be India’s second largest cattle fair after Pushkar, the “Fair of the Garhs” of Chitrakoot continues to flourish with its blend of heritage, humor and hard-hitting commerce.
As one organizer rightly put it, “It’s not just about buying donkeys – it’s about celebrating a tradition that has been passed down for centuries.”
–IANS
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