Patna, (IANS) : Asia’s largest cattle fair began on Saturday at Sonepur near here with the mood in the market not upbeat as potential buyers are facing a cash crunch in the wake of demonetisation.

Inaugurating the fair, Bihar Tourism Minister Anita Devi said that government will develop this on the line of a world fair to attract attract more and more domestic and foreign tourists in the coming years. “We will take help of experts to develop it,” she said.

The cattle fair is held annually, beginning on Kartik Poornima, at Sonepur in Saran district, about 30 km from Patna.

Spanning 500 acres near the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak rivers, the fair not only sees sale of cows, buffaloes, and oxen, but also goats, horses, donkeys, monkeys, rabbits, bears, cats and guinea pig.

Boat rides and free elephant rides at the fair have become very popular among the visitors.