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Vautha Fair: Gujarat's donkey market at the river confluence
Tents of herding families at a river confluence under the Kartik full moon
Vautha Fair, Vautha no Melo in Gujarati, is the largest fair of Ahmedabad district, held at Vautha village where the Sabarmati and Vatrak rivers meet. It runs from the Ekadashi of the bright half of Kartik to the full moon, Kartik Purnima, and is known above all for its donkey market. Dates: 20–25 November 2026 (expected), with the full-moon bath on 24 November 2026 (expected).
The dates follow the lunar calendar; the Ahmedabad district panchayat and Gujarat Tourism announce the fair a few weeks ahead.
The legend
The fair ground is called Saptasangam, the meeting of seven rivers: the Sabarmati and Vatrak meet here, carrying five other rivers with them.
Legend says Kartikeya, Shiva's eldest son, comes here to bathe on the Kartik full moon; the Mahadev temple keeps his padukas, his sandals.
Customs
The full-moon bath
A bath at Saptasangam on the Kartik full moon is held especially holy; families from Bhal and Nalkantha camp here for two or three days.
Bhavai and acrobats
Among the stalls perform magicians, jugglers, rope-walkers and bhavai actors; at night there are bhajans and a programme by the Dholka panchayat.
The Vanzara market
The fair is known for its trade in pack animals: Vanzara herders bring donkeys to sell, and camels are traded too.
What you see at the fair
The Government of Gujarat calls Vautha the only major animal-trading fair in the state, comparable to the camel fair at Pushkar, with one difference: the main animals traded here are donkeys. Vanzara (Vanjara) traders bring about 4,000 of them every year, and many are painted in red, pink and orange on the neck and back. Camels are traded too.
Around the animal lines the ground fills with stalls, handicrafts, food, a circus, jugglers, magicians, rope-walkers and bhavai folk theatre. At night there are bhajan groups and a cultural programme organised by the Dholka taluka panchayat. Incredible India describes a tent city of families camped by the fairground, with khichu, a steamed rice-flour snack, as a favourite, and lamps and flowers floated on the river at the evening prayers. The Bhil and Rabari communities are among those who come; families from the Bhal and Nalkantha areas camp for two or three days.
The Gujarat government puts attendance at more than 500,000 people.
Saptasangam and the Kartik full moon
The fair ground is called Saptasangam, the meeting of seven rivers. Strictly, only the Sabarmati and the Vatrak meet at Vautha, but they bring the waters of five more with them: the Meshwo, Hathmati, Shedhi, Majum and Khari join the Vatrak upstream. Vautha lies on the border of Dholka taluka in Ahmedabad district and Matar taluka in Kheda district.
The fair is dedicated to Kartikeya, Shiva's son, also known as Murugan. By legend he comes here to bathe on the Kartik full moon, and a bath at the confluence on that day is held especially holy. The Gujarat government names the Siddhanath temple as the most important Shiva temple at the site. For the wider meaning of the day, see Kartik Purnima.
Planning your visit
Vautha is a rural fair on open ground by the rivers.
- Pick your day — The full-moon morning is for the bath and the biggest crowd; the donkey lines are at their fullest a couple of days earlier.
- Check the announcement — Dates follow the lunar calendar. The Ahmedabad district panchayat and Gujarat Tourism announce the fair a few weeks ahead.
- Getting there — Vautha is in Ahmedabad district; Incredible India names Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International in Ahmedabad as the major airport for the fair.
- Animals and photos — Ask before photographing traders and their animals, and keep a distance from camels. In the crowd keep your phone and money in a front pocket; general advice in is India safe.
FAQ
When is Vautha Fair?
20–25 November 2026 (expected). It runs from Kartik Sud Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima, usually in late October or November.
Where is the Vautha Mela held?
At Vautha village in Dholka taluka, Ahmedabad district, Gujarat, at the confluence of the Sabarmati and Vatrak rivers, known as Saptasangam.
What is the Vautha Fair famous for?
For its donkey market: Vanzara traders bring about 4,000 donkeys, many painted in bright colours. Camels are traded too, and pilgrims bathe at the confluence on the full moon.
Is there an entry ticket for Vautha Fair?
No. Incredible India lists the fair as having no ticket; it is held on open ground by the rivers.
Which is the biggest fair in Gujarat?
Vautha is the largest fair in Ahmedabad district and, according to the Gujarat government, the state's only major animal-trading fair.
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.