# Chitrakoot Donkey Fair Begins With Bollywood-Inspired Bidding And Amitabh Bachchan Fetching Rs 72000

> The traditional donkey fair has kicked off in Chitrakoot on the occasion of Govardhan Puja, featuring animals named after film stars and facing a decline in modern-day demand.

**Type:** article · **Category:** India · **Published:** 2026-11-09 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/national/chitrakoot-donkey-fair-begins-with-bollywood-inspired-bidding-and-amitabh-bachchan-fetching-rs-72000-58376 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Chitrakoot Fair, Donkey Fair, Amitabh Bachchan, Govardhan Puja, Uttar Pradesh News

The annual traditional donkey fair has officially commenced in Chitrakoot, drawing traders from far and wide to the banks of the Ramghat. Held on the day following Diwali on the occasion of Govardhan Puja, this unique marketplace sees animals being bought and sold under the names of prominent film stars. Sellers and buyers assign celebrity names such as Shah Rukh, Salman, and Amitabh Bachchan to the animals, setting the tone for the bidded prices that follow in this vibrant yet unusual rural gathering.

## A Historical Fair Dating Back To Aurangzeb Era
Historical accounts suggest that this distinct fair has been organized continuously since the reign of Aurangzeb, preserving a centuries-old tradition along the riverbanks. Satish Kumar Sonkar, a trader who traveled to the fair to sell animals, noted that the grandeur of the event has gradually diminished over time. In today's modern and mechanized era, the utility of donkeys has declined significantly as people rely more on machinery, leading to a drop in overall interest and participation compared to earlier decades.

## Falling Prices And Shifting Market Dynamics
Traders point out that valuations have taken a steep downward turn over the years. Animals that previously fetched between 40,000 and 50,000 rupees in past decades now struggle to command even 15,000 to 20,000 rupees. Sonkar mentioned that he brought roughly 15 animals to the grounds this season, but a large portion remains unsold due to inadequate offers from prospective buyers who are hesitant to spend higher amounts in the current economic climate of the marketplace.

## Shrinking Turnout And Lower Animal Numbers
Fair organizer Ramesh highlighted that while the tradition of naming animals after celebrities like Shah Rukh and Salman remains intact, the overall scale of the event is shrinking. The number of active buyers has dwindled steadily, and high-breed mules and donkeys are becoming increasingly scarce at the venue. While historical editions of the fair routinely witnessed over 1,000 animals arriving for trade, this year's tally has plummeted to around 400 animals, reflecting a broader contraction in the traditional livestock trade.

## Top Bids Fetching Up To Rs 75000
Despite the overall sluggishness in trade, a few standout animals managed to attract substantial bids. The highest recorded sale so far is a donkey named after Amitabh Bachchan, which commanded a price of 72,000 rupees. Meanwhile, a mule named Kallu received a bid of 75,000 rupees, though its owner is holding out for an even higher offer before finalizing the sale, demonstrating that high-value transactions still occur for select animals.

## What this means for you
The decline in demand and shrinking scale of this traditional fair directly impacts rural traders and livestock owners who depend on seasonal markets for their livelihood.

- **In Uttar Pradesh:** Local traders and animal handlers are facing lower valuations and reduced sales due to shifting modern utility and fewer buyers.
- **Economic Impact:** The increasing reliance on mechanization is gradually eroding traditional livestock trading, putting financial pressure on communities reliant on these seasonal events.

## Why this happened
The fair has deep historical roots dating back centuries, but its modern decline is driven by technological shifts in transportation and labor.

- **Historical Context:** The event has been held continuously since the Mughal era, preserving an old cultural practice along the riverbanks.
- **Modernization Shift:** The widespread adoption of machinery for transport and labor has reduced the practical utility and demand for donkeys.
- **Diminishing Participation:** Lower profit margins and fewer interested buyers have discouraged traders from traveling long distances to attend the fair.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. When is the donkey fair held in Chitrakoot?
The fair is held annually on the day following Diwali, coinciding with Govardhan Puja, at the banks of Ramghat.

### 2. How are the animals named at the fair?
Donkeys and mules at the fair are given popular film star names such as Shah Rukh, Salman, and Amitabh Bachchan.

### 3. What is the highest price recorded for an animal so far?
The highest-selling animal named after Amitabh Bachchan fetched a price of 72,000 rupees.

### 4. How old is the history of this fair?
The fair has historical roots dating back to the reign of the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.

### 5. How many animals arrived at the fair this year?
Approximately 400 animals arrived for trade this season, a significant drop from the past numbers exceeding one thousand.

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