Over one lakh pilgrims arrive every year for the five-day fair, which this year ended on Thursday. But over the last five or six years, the number of people taking a dip in the river has gone down by half, say regular visitors.

Changabhai Raval, a regular visitor since 1989, says the number of people visiting the fair has gone up -- but because the Sabarmati brings in a stream of black water, very few are taking the ritual bath.

The six other rivers -- Khari, Hatmati, Meshwo, Shedi, Vatrak, and Mazak -- unite a little away from Vautha, where they unite with the Sabarmati. But at the site of the fair, people have to wade across waist-deep black water brought in by the Sabarmati before reaching the clear water of the others. Ramji Prajapati also echoes similar feelings. Prajapati said people perform the ritual of offering `pind' to their ancestors on the shore and do without the bath.

The fair, though, continues to attract people.Ravabhai Ravalia, a trader, had brought 10 donkeys and two camels. Only the two camels remain unsold. The others were sold within hours of reaching the fair.Ravalia said this year 5,000 odd donkeys were sold by the second day of the fair.

Another regular at the fair, Amtarambhai Ravalia, said traders from Rajashtan and other states come to Vautha to sell their animals. While the price of donkeys ranged between Rs 600 and Rs 5,000. Strong young donkeys may fetch up to Rs 10,000. Sick and disabled animals sell at half the price.

Another visitor Ravibhai Kanubhai said it was people from hilly regions and deserts who seek out donkeys and camels. But over the years the price of donkeys has gone down.And there are few takers for camels. There were some traders, like Chandu Ramji, who had been unable to sell their camels till the fourth day. ``It is only people from villages that don't have roads who buy the camels,'' he said.

Similarly, Jagdish Raval, who was yet to sell his three camels, said this year the sale of camels had not caught on this year.

So, the winds of change subtract from the sale of animals, while the polluted Sabarmati is eroding the religious significance of the Vautha fair.