According to one legend here Lord Vishnu ended the battle between the lords of forests (elephant) and lords of the water (crocodiles). Each November, on the full moon day of Kartik Purnima, the three week Sonepur Mela begins to celebrate the infamous story. The fair is held on the bank of river Ganga where devotees bath. The place is also known as hathi bazaar (elephant market). Majority of cattles are elephants, they change hands for anything from 10000 to 100000. Not only elephants but camel, cow, goat and every imaginable bovines are all bought and sold. The fair is more of a festival when livestocks are decorated and painted to give a colorful look. There are other programs like music, dance are also being held.
Sights And Activities
Sonepur FairSonepur Fair has a long traditions and has a great importance. During the older times traders were attracted to fair from far as central Asia. Original fair used to occur at Hajipur but during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb, the fair was shifted to Sonepur. In the pre-independence era, the European indigo planters used it as an occasion for social and sports gathering. Sonepur Mela is Asia’s Biggest cattle fair. It is more than a fair where Bihar cultural color is clearly visible. The three week fair is ornated with cultural programs like dance, music, folk shows, games and other programs. The cattles are decorated and present like newly wedded bride and groom.
Hariharnath Temple
The temple is unique as it is the only one in India to have a single statue of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. This is a good place to visit after a long and exhausting cattle fair.
