Kanpur, November 4: The annual Donkey Fair, held on the banks of the sacred River Mandakini in Uttar Pradesh's Chitrakoot, marked this Diwali with an unexpected twist. This year, a donkey named ‘Lawrence’ fetched the highest price of INR 1.25 lakh at the donkey fair in Chitrakoot, surpassing those named after Bollywood icons Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan.

As per the reports, donkeys 'Salman' and 'Shah Rukh' were sold at INR 85,000 and Rs 75,000, respectively, at the donkey fair in Chitrakoot, AmarUjala reported. The name ‘Lawrence’ drew significant attention due to the recent notoriety of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Chitrakoot: Female and Male Teachers Clash in Shocking Altercation at Kumharn Purwa English Medium Primary School (Watch Video).

Donkey Fair at Chitrakoot

The donkey fair at Chitrakoot, which dates back to the Mughal era, traditionally auctions donkeys named after film stars. However, this year’s event saw a shift influenced by current events, attracting traders and spectators from across the country. The three-day fair, featuring around 500 donkeys and mules, remains a unique cultural attraction despite concerns about its diminishing appeal over time. UP Shocker: Deaf-Mute Woman Raped, Her Infant Daughter Molested Inside House in Chitrakoot.

Fair organiser Ramesh Pandey said the fair’s historical roots trace back to Aurangzeb’s reign when donkeys were essential for transporting goods. He noted the evolving trends in naming, reflecting the impact of contemporary events on the auction outcomes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 04, 2024 05:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).