Chunky Panday Beats Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan At Chitrakoot Donkey Fair; Gets Highest Bid
Chunky Panday may not hold the superstar status of Amitabh Bachchan or Shah Rukh Khan in Bollywood, but a donkey bearing his name emerged as the biggest star at a centuries-old animal fair in Madhya Pradesh.
In fact, the donkey named ‘Chunky Panday’ fetched a much higher price than those named after Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Mithun Chakraborty!
The unusual spectacle unfolded at the annual donkey fair in Chitrakoot, located in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district along the MP-UP border. Organised every year shortly after Diwali, the historic fair attracts traders from several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Rajasthan, who arrive to buy and sell donkeys.
Trading begins early in the morning, with visitors gathering in large numbers to watch the animals and witness the deals. However, apart from the prices and physical features of the donkeys, their unusual Bollywood-inspired names remain one of the biggest attractions of the fair.
This year, donkeys named after several popular Hindi film stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Mithun Chakraborty and Chunky Panday, caught everyone’s attention. While their names entertained visitors, the actual prices depended on factors such as breed, height, body structure, length and physical strength.
For How Much Was Chunky Panday Sold At Chitrakoot Fair?
Interestingly, the donkeys named after Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Mithun Chakraborty were each sold for less than ₹50,000. However, a black-coloured donkey named ‘Chunky Panday’ attracted the highest bid. Thanks to its impressive physique, it was eventually sold for ₹72,000, making it the most expensive donkey at this year’s fair.
According to Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM-Majhgawan) Mahipal Singh Gurjar, the tradition of organising the fair after Diwali dates back to the Mughal era. He said, “As per beliefs, this donkey fair, which is organised after Diwali every year in Chitrakoot town of MP’s Satna district, dates back to the era of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. This year, ₹72,000 is the highest price fetched by a donkey on sale. Last year, the donkey named Shah Rukh fetched the maximum price.”
What Is The Historical Prominence Of Chitrakoot Fair?
Local accounts suggest that the fair originated during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, when donkeys and mules were widely used to transport military supplies and other provisions. Over the years, the practice of holding the fair around Diwali became an established tradition and continues even today.
While trading methods and times have changed, the Chitrakoot donkey fair has managed to preserve its unique identity. It remains a fascinating blend of history, commerce and entertainment, where Bollywood-inspired names attract attention, but the animals’ physical qualities ultimately determine their market value.
Who won the highest bid at the Chitrakoot Donkey Fair?Chunky Panday won the highest bid at the Chitrakoot Donkey Fair.
How much was the donkey named Chunky Panday sold for?The donkey named Chunky Panday was sold for ₹72,000.
What were the prices of the donkeys named after Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan?The donkeys named after Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan were each sold for less than ₹50,000.
When is the Chitrakoot Donkey Fair organized?The Chitrakoot Donkey Fair is organized every year shortly after Diwali.
What is the historical origin of the Chitrakoot Donkey Fair?The Chitrakoot Donkey Fair originated during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and was initially used for transporting military supplies and other provisions.
In this Article
Shah Rukh KhanShah RukhAmitabh BachchanChunky Panday
