Patna, Nov 3 : Asia's largest cattle fair at Sonepur in Bihar is attracting foreign tourists. Scores of them have visited the annual event, tourism department officials said Tuesday.

"All 30 special cottages have been booked by foreign tourists. There is no vacancy," said Mukesh Singh of the state tourism department.

Nearly 60 tourists from Japan, France, Germany, Australia, Austria, Canada and Britain are enjoying the charm of the cattle fair at Sonepur, 35 km from here.

Rais Azam, a tourism official, said: "Some foreign tourists are sunbathing, some are mingling with the locals, others are enjoying seeing the decorated cattle."

In a bid to attract tourists, the government has offered free elephant rides at the fair that has become a huge hit. Boat rides are also popular among the foreigners.

"We have provided all the modern facilities in the cottages, which were created with rural design and flavour," Principal Secretary Rashmi Verma told IANS.

BBC photographer and writer Steve Davey, author of "Unforgettable Places To See Before You Die", is also at the fair with a dozen tourists. "He is a regular at the fair for last few years," Singh said.

Animals like horses, cows, oxes, goats, buffaloes, donkeys, ponies, monkeys, rabbits, bears, cats and guinea pigs are traded at the fair.

The fair, spread across 500 acres near the confluence of two rivers - the Ganga and the Gandak, has been held every year for centuries.

The event, which begins on Kartiki Purnima day, is reportedly the only one of its kind in the sub-continent. (IANS)