India is a country where numerous fairs and festivals are held and each fair has it own significance. In these fairs animal plays an important role as they are included in many of rituals and are worshiped as well. India hosts some of the biggest cattle fairs. To have a glance on them read on:
Bihar’s Sonepur, also known as Harihar Kshetra Mela , is Asia’s largest cattle fair. The fair is organised on the bank of the Gangar river during Kartik Purnima, an aupicious time in Hindu calendar. Animals such as cattle, horses, goats, donkeys, camels, birds and elephants are traded at the fair. Among the animals, elephants are the star attraction as they are decorated and lined up to display in rows in an area known as the Haathi Bazaar (Elephant Market).
2. Nagaur Cattle fair
During the months of January and February, the eight-day long Nagaur Cattle Fair is held in Nagur. It is the second biggest cattle fair in India. Nagaur, sandwiched between Bikaner and Jodhpur cities, is popularly known as land of fairs. The fair attracts lots of people from rural Rajasthan as well as cities.
3. Jhalawar Cattle Fair
Chandrabhaga Fair or Jhalawar Cattle Fair is held every year on the bank of Chandrabhaga River in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan. The fair is one of the most popular fairs celebrated on the last day of Karti Poornima.
4. Pushkar Cattle Fair
Pushkar cattle fair is popularly known as camel fair. It is held in Pushkar, a sacred town for the Hindus, situated 11 kms to the North- West of Ajmer in Rajasthan. The five-day fair is usually held between the months of October and November, a period also known as Kartik Shukal Ekadasi in the Hindu calendar.
5. Kolayat Cattle Fair
Kolayat cattle fair is the largest fair of Bikaner, in India’s desert state of Rajasthan. The fair is also known as Kapil Muni fair. Buffaloes, camels, horses and cattle are being traded, pilgrims bathe and float clay lanterns in the town’s lake.
6. Bateshwar Cattle fair
Bateshwar cattle fair or Bateshwar mela is held in Bateshwar which lies just about 70 kilometer from Agra (Uttar Pradesh). It has great significance in terms of religion and cattle trading. Every year the nine-day fair falls in between October and November, and it is organised on the bank of Yamuna river.
7. Gangapur Cattle Fair
Gangapur Cattle Fair takes place in Gangapur near the Bhilwara in Rajasthan. The place is situated on Bhilwara-Udaipur Road.
