A caretaker looks on as 7 year old elephant Laxmi rubs trunks with her daughter 13 month old Rani during the Sonepur Mela on November 15, 2011 in Sonepur near Patna, India. The cattle fair, held in ...

Nobody had taught Chanda economy of movement. She moved from leg to plump leg in an ecstasy of uncoordination. She swayed side to side while her head bobbed up and down. Her trunk tried to scratch her ...

Preparations for the Sonepur Mela are ongoing. Unseasonal rain and assembly elections have caused delays. The animal fair sees reduced participation. New commercial stalls are being set up. The mela ...

The monthlong Sonepur Mela, which is believed to be Asia’s largest cattle fair, will kick-start on November 10 and conclude on December 12. PATNA: The monthlong Sonepur Mela, which is believed to be ...

The annual festival combines livestock sales with massive bazaars, nighttime theater with carnival rides, and, over it all, political ads.