Vautha Mela is one of the most colorful fairs celebrated in the state of
Gujarat. This annual fair is held at Vautha, the confluence of
Sabarmati and the Vatrak rivers, in the
Ahmedabad District. It is celebrated during
Kartik Poornima in the month of Kartik (October-November).
Vautha Mela is the only major animal trading fair in Gujarat and is considered as par with the famous camel fair at Pushkar, in Rajasthan. However, the animals traded are donkeys; about 4000-5000 donkeys are brought every year for sale, mainly by Vanjara traders.
Legend has it that Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, visited the site on the full moon night of Kartik. The site is also known as Saptasangam, as it is at the confluence of seven rivers.
Thousands of pilgrims visit the place during the fair including farmers, laborers and people belonging to several castes.
During the fair, special buses ply between Vautha and other towns nearby.
