Sonpur Mela (Fair) Duration
Sonpur Mela is being held from 13th November 2024 through 14th December 2024 for 32-days.
Official website of Saran District may be referred for any assistance at https://saran.nic.in/sonepur-mela-2024/
What is Sonpur Mela all about ?
Sonepur is a town in the Indian state of Bihar, situated on the banks of the River Gandak in Saran district. It hosts one of the world's largest animal fairs. It is on the confluence of four rivers.
Introduction
The Sonpur Cattle Fair or Sonpur is held on Kartik Poornima (the full moon day) in the month of November in Sonepur, Bihar, on the confluence of river Ganga and Gandak. It is also known as Harihar Kshetra Mela and it attracts visitors from all over Asia. Till date, it is the biggest cattle fair of Asia and stretches on from fifteen days to one month. It has its origins during ancient times. This is when Chandragupta Maurya used to buy elephants and horses across the river Ganges. The Sonpur Cattle Fair once used to attract traders from places as distant as Central Asia.
History
The Sonpur mela has a profound historic grandeur. According to the travelogue of a British administrative officer, W W Hynter, in 1919, the Sonpur mela used to be held in over 43 villages in the past. It has its origins during ancient times. This is when Chandragupta Maurya used to buy elephants and horses across the river Ganges. The mela used to attract traders from places as distant as Central Asia.
Originally, the venue of the fair was Hajipur and only the performance of the puja used to take place at the Harihar Nath temple of Sonpur. However, under the rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the venue of the fair got shifted to Sonpur. The temple of Harihar Nath is believed to have been originally built by Lord Rama, on his way to the court of King Janak to win the hand of Mata Sita. It is further said that Raja Man Singh later got the temple repaired. The Harihar Nath temple, as it stands today, was built by Raja Ram Narain, an influential person during the late Mughal period.
The Fair Trade
Nearly all animals can be bought at the Sonpur mela from all breeds of dogs, camels, buffaloes, donkeys, ponies, monkeys, chimps, Persian horses, sheep, rabbits, bears, cats, and guinea pigs. All varieties of birds, poultry and fishes are also available. The Sonpur Fair is the only fair where such a large number of elephants are sold. Numerous stalls are also set up at the grounds of the Sonpur Cattle Fair. You will find a wide variety of goods in these stalls, ranging from garments to weapons and furniture, toys, utensils and agricultural implements, jewelry and handicrafts. Major attraction is the sight of numerous elephants, beautifully decorated for the purpose of sale.