THE BALLOON MAN

India's Sonepur Fair 11.18.11

#1 An Indian mahout watches as seven-year old female elephant Laxmi reaches with her trunk to touch her daughter 13-month old baby elephant Rani at the Sonepur Fair, in Sonepur, Bihar, near Patna, India, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011. The fair, which is held annually, was originally a cattle and animal market where traders bought and sold livestock on the holy river Ganges.

#2 An Indian vendor blows bubbles as he tries to sell toys at the Sonepur Fair, in Sonepur, near Patna, Bihar, India, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011. The fair, which is held annually,was originally a cattle and animal market where traders bought and sold livestock on the holy river Ganges.Kevin Frayer - AP

#3 An elephant is painted in decorative colours during the Sonepur Mela on November 15, 2011 in Sonepur near Patna, India. The cattle fair, held in the Indian state of Bihar, has its origins during ancient times, when people traded elephants and horses across the auspicious river Ganges. The mela used to attract traders from places as distant as Central Asia. It is one of Asia's largest cattle fairs and lasts for a fortnight.Daniel Berehulak - Getty Images

#4 Rania stretches her trunk out to touch the nose of her mahut during the Sonepur Mela on November 15, 2011 in Sonepur near Patna, India. The cattle fair, held in the Indian state of Bihar, has its origins during ancient times, when people traded elephants and horses across the auspicious river Ganges. The mela used to attract traders from places as distant as Central Asia. It is one of Asia's largest cattle fairs and lasts for a fortnight.

#5 Stuntmen steer cars as they drive on the inside of an attraction called the "Well of Death" during the Sonepur Mela on November 15, 2011 in Sonepur near Patna, India. The cattle fair, held in the Indian state of Bihar, has its origins during ancient times, when people traded elephants and horses across the auspicious river Ganges. The mela used to attract traders from places as distant as Central Asia. It is one of Asia's largest cattle fairs and lasts for a fortnight.Daniel Berehulak - Getty Images