A black donkey named after Bollywood actor Chunky Panday became the star attraction at the historic Chitrakoot donkey fair, selling for Rs 72,000 and outpricing animals named after Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. The annual fair, held along the banks of the Mandakini River on the Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh border, took place on November 9, 2026, shortly after Diwali.
A Donkey Named Chunky Panday Tops the Bidding
Traders from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Rajasthan brought their animals to the centuries-old fair, where buying and selling began early in the morning. Large crowds gathered to watch the bidding and get a closer look at the animals.
What made this year’s fair stand out was the tradition of naming donkeys after popular Bollywood celebrities. Donkeys carrying the names Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Mithun Chakraborty and Chunky Panday were among the main attractions. Visitors stopped to take photos and smile at the film-inspired names.
When it came to pricing, the black-coloured donkey named Chunky Panday stole the show. It attracted competitive bids before finally being sold for Rs 72,000, making it the most expensive donkey at the fair. Donkeys named after Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Mithun Chakraborty each fetched less than Rs 50,000. According to traders, the value of a donkey is determined by its breed, height, body structure, length and physical strength, not its celebrity name.
A Fair With Roots in the Mughal Era
The Chitrakoot donkey fair is not just a marketplace. According to local accounts, it dates back to the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Donkeys and mules were used during that period to transport military supplies and provisions. Over time, the tradition of holding the fair around Diwali took root and has continued for generations.
Local belief adds another layer to the story. It is said that during an attack on temples in Chitrakoot, the horses, donkeys and mules belonging to the invading army fell ill. Many animals died, which led to the creation of a market where replacements could be bought and sold. That market eventually became the annual fair that traders and visitors know today.
For many traders, buying a donkey during Diwali is considered auspicious. Donkeys are seen as a symbol of prosperity, and purchasing one during the festival is regarded as a good sign. The fair also holds cultural and religious importance for many participants who travel from nearby districts and states.
Why the Fair Still Draws a Crowd
Traders come to Chitrakoot from within a radius of about 250 km and from several other states. Besides donkeys, horses and mules are also bought and sold, with transactions worth crores of rupees expected during the event.
Despite its long history, the fair is facing changes. A local trader from Karwi, Uttar Pradesh, said business was relatively slow this year. He also expressed concern that younger generations are increasingly reluctant to continue the traditional animal-trading profession.
“The younger generation is showing less interest in carrying forward the tradition,” a local organiser said, according to reports.
Even so, the fair continues to attract visitors and traders who value its unique place in local culture. The tradition of giving donkeys Bollywood-inspired names remains one of its biggest draws, bringing a bit of film-style glamour to a historic animal market.
The Bollywood Naming Tradition
Naming donkeys after film stars is a long-standing practice at the Chitrakoot fair. This year, donkeys named after Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Mithun Chakraborty, Sanjay Kapoor and Chunky Panday were all part of the lineup. The names add an element of entertainment to the traditional market and attract visitors who are curious to see the animals behind the famous names.
The trend is not limited to Bollywood heroes. Last year, a donkey named after jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was also put up for sale alongside donkeys named after film icons, according to reports from the same fair.
Chunky Panday’s Reaction
Chunky Panday, known for films such as Aankhen and Tezaab, has not issued a public statement about the donkey named after him. The story, however, has become a talking point online, with the fair’s unusual celebrity naming tradition drawing attention beyond the region.
The actor, who has appeared in over 100 films across a career spanning more than three decades, is no stranger to having his name in the spotlight. This time, the spotlight came from an unexpected place: a riverside animal fair in Madhya Pradesh.
“This year, it was Chunky Panday—not Amitabh Bachchan or Shah Rukh Khan—who emerged as the biggest star of the Chitrakoot donkey fair with a selling price of Rs 72,000.”
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