Donkeys arrive in Ujjain for Kartik fair, Salman and Shah Rukh-named animals to fetch higher prices

A traditional donkey fair is held in Ujjain every year in the month of Kartik. It takes place during Kartik month, which runs from Devuthani Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima. The fair is held at the Kartik Mela Ground on Badnagar Road, on the banks of the Kshipra river.

This year the fair will begin on November 21 and run till Purnima, November 24. Preparations have begun, and traders who deal in donkeys have started reaching Ujjain with their animals.

As there is no space on Badnagar Road yet, the traders have for now kept their donkeys in a gardeners' garden opposite the Narsingh Ghat bridge. They have rented space there for the purpose.

At the fair, the price of a donkey is fixed by examining its teeth and according to its build. A donkey generally sells for between Rs 4,000 and Rs 15,000. Horses are also brought for sale along with the donkeys.

A special feature of the fair is the names of the animals. The donkeys and mules sold here are named after Bollywood stars and well-known personalities. Names such as Salman, Shah Rukh, Alia, Ranbir, Pushpa, Tejashwi and Owaisi are among them.

Traders also name their male and female donkeys after film actors, with names such as Salman, Shah Rukh, Aishwarya and Deepika. Because the animals carry famous names, they draw everyone's attention. Buyers are attracted by this and also offer high prices for these animals.

There are three well-known donkey fairs in the country: one at Luniyawas in Jaipur, Rajasthan, another at Chitrakoot in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, and the third in Ujjain.