Dadri Mela Ground

Dadri Mela Ground is a large open fairground located in Ballia city, Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, near the confluence of the Ganga and Ghaghara rivers. It is best known as the venue of the historic Dadri Mela, considered the second largest cattle fair in India after Sonepur. Held annually in October-November around Kartik Purnima, the ground hosts cattle trading, cultural programs, handicraft stalls and amusement activities, drawing visitors from across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Visitors can expect a vast open ground that transforms into a bustling fair complex during the annual Dadri Mela. The site features temporary enclosures for cattle trading, rows of stalls selling handicrafts, agricultural tools and household goods, food vendors, amusement rides and stages for folk performances. Outside the fair period, it is a large open field with minimal permanent structures. During the mela, visitors can explore livestock sections, shopping areas and cultural program venues.

Dadri Mela is a historic fair traditionally associated with the sage Dadri (Dardar Muni) and the holy bath at the confluence of the Ganga and Ghaghara rivers on Kartik Purnima. The fair has been held for over a century and evolved into a major cattle fair and commercial gathering for the eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar region.

The ground holds cultural and religious significance as the center of the annual Kartik Purnima observances, cattle trading traditions and rural commerce. It serves as a gathering place for folk artists, traders, farmers and pilgrims, reflecting the agrarian and cultural heritage of the Ballia region.