Sonepur Fair

✎ Sonepur Fair is held on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day) in the month of November in Sonepur, Bihar, on the confluence of river Ganges and Gandak. It is also known as Harihar Kshetra Mela and it attracts visitors from all over Asia. Till date, it is biggest cattle fair of Asia and stretches on from 15 days to one month.

✎ Sonepur Fair is held for one month i.e. from November to December.

✎ Sonepur is situated at the convergence of the sacred rivers Ganges and Gandak; the Hindus regard it as holy site.

✎ The fair commemorates the intervention of Lord Vishnu to end a great curse and long fight between elephant and crocodile in Hindu Mythology.

✎ There are many historical events associated with Sonepur Mela. In ancient times the royal Rajahs and Nawabs used to camp here, also the first meeting of the “Indian Association of Cow Protection” held at this place in 1888.

✎ Trade in elephants has been prohibited at Sonepur Mela since 2004 owing to strict enforcement of Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and further denial of transfer of ownership certificate to the elephant owners.

✎ The venue of fair was Hazipur and only the performance of the puja used to take place at the Harihar Nath Temple of Sonepur.Under the rule of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the venue of the fair got shifted to Sonepur.

✎ The fair was also used at a recruitment ground by the provincial Congress Committee of Bihar and the Bihar Kisan Sabha (farmers union), these all events made this fair as the breeding grounds of the politics.

✎ Many farm animals can be bought at the Sonepur Mela from all breeds of dogs, buffaloes, donkeys, ponies, Persian horses, rabbits, goats and even the occasional camel. Many varieties of birds and poultry are also available. Haathi Bazaar is attracted to all where elephants are lined up for the sale.

✎ One will find a variety of goods in these stalls, ranging from garments to weapons and furniture, toys, utensils and agricultural implements, jewelry and handicrafts.

✎ A rail gram is setup by railways, where toy train is also erected for children.

✎ Sonepur Mela continues to attract foreign tourists who arrive with the motive of capturing various elements of rural settlement.

✎ Swiss cottages are set up by Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation at the Sonepur fair, with facilities of internet, motor boat ride river Gandak, food at the tourist village and pre-paid taxes from Patna Airport to Sonepur Fair.

✎ It is vibrant rural fair that combines spirituality, sexuality and animal trading, street magicians, religious gurus and tantriks, pilgrims, snack stalls, handicrafts, amusement rides, circus performers and dancing girls all create a carnival like no other.

✎ In 2014, extra stalls were added, selling clothing, agricultural equipment, automobiles and fast moving consumer goods. A food plaza was also setup with branded national chains. There was sports competition and adventure sports such as para-sailing, hot air balloon, water-skiing, water-canning and all-terrain vehicle rides.

✎ Sonepur Fair is administered by District of Chapra with support from Bihar government and promoted by the Tourism Ministry of Bihar. The administration also arranges health and welfare camps, sanitation, drinking water facilities for visitors.