A fair of donkeys which is held particularly during the Diwali festival has again come into the limelight with a twist in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh. The annual event, known for its vibrant donkey auction featuring animals named after film stars, saw a surprising standout named Lawrence, a donkey was sold for a record-hiked price, attributed to high traffic people’s interest in gangster Lawrence Bishnoi following recent criminal incidents.

The Chitrakoot Donkey Fair is typically organised on the banks of the holy river Mandakini and is associated with the Mughal era. According to fair organizer Ramesh Pandey, The tradition of the fair started during Aurangzeb’s rule when his army used only donkeys to transport goods within the region mainly because there were very few vehicles. The fair has since continued annually on the day after Diwali.

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Donkey Named ‘Lawrence’ Fetches Rs 1.25 Lakh

This year the fair brought traders and onlookers from different parts of the country. Ordinarily, the donkeys that are taken to the fair are named after Bollywood celebrities, but the effects of this period could be observed this time around. Donkeys named Lawrence Bishnoi were sold for Rs 1.25 lakh – the highest selling price of donkeys at the fair whereas donkeys named Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan were sold at Rs 85,000 and Rs 75,000 respectively.

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The three-day event has become a cultural highlight, showcasing approximately 500 donkeys and mules. However, the organizers raised concerns about how the event has gradually lost its allure over time with Ramesh noting how recent events are impacting naming trends and sales at the fair.