Donkey market set up here! Gujarat’s donkeys are in highest demand, people are ready to give even Rs 1 lakh

Last Updated:January 16, 2025, 10:54 IST

Donkey Market: A historic donkey market was organized in Jewry, Pune during the Khandoba Yatra on the occasion of Paush Purnima. Donkeys coming from Gujarat and Maharashtra were sold for Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Here the price of donkeys is decided on the basis of teeth and age.

donkey market

Pune: A historical donkey market is organized on the occasion of Paush Purnima in Jejuri city of Maharashtra’s family deity Shri Khandoba Dev. Donkeys from different parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra have been brought for sale in this special market. Devotees buy donkeys here for work in the hilly areas. This year, there is a huge demand for Kathewadi donkeys of Gujarat, and they are getting good prices.

Gujarati donkeys are getting the highest bid
Let us tell you that the price of donkeys in Jejuri is decided on the basis of their type and age. This year, Kathewadi donkeys brought from Gujarat are getting prices ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. At the same time, local donkeys are being sold at relatively low prices, getting between Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000. This price is decided on the basis of the donkey’s teeth and its age.

The price is decided by the teeth of donkeys
In this market of Jejuri, the price of donkeys is decided according to their teeth and age. Donkeys with two teeth are called ‘Duwan’, donkeys with four teeth are called ‘Chauwan’ and donkeys with good teeth are called ‘Akhand’. Donkeys with ‘intact’ teeth in particular fetch higher prices. Traders say that this time they are getting good prices due to less number of donkeys.

Donkey market is also organized in Sri Kshetra Khandoba Yatra of Malegaon.
Sri Kshetra Khandoba Yatra of Malegaon is considered to be the main journey of South India, where a big market of donkeys is also held. This tradition has been going on for the last 400 to 500 years. In this journey, trading of donkeys is done in a cashless manner. Traders make payment the next year after purchasing the donkey.

Contribution of nomadic castes in buying and selling of donkeys
People of nomadic castes from all over the state participate in this yatra organized on Paush Purnima, which includes Kolhati, Vaidu, Beldar, Kumbhar, Gadiwadar, Mativadar, Kaikadi, Madari, Garudi, Ghisadi and Makadwale. These people buy and sell donkeys along with the darshan of Khandoba Dev. Devotees and traders are enjoying this traditional market during this yatra.