Sonepur Fair - Asia's Biggest Cattle Fair

Sonepur Fair (Mela) – The Biggest cattle fair of Asia

Fast Facts

Location: Sonepur, Saran District, about 22 kms. away from Patna

Known Worldwide As: One of Asia’s Biggest Cattle Fair

Festival Period this year: November 9, 2011 to December 9, 2011 (Kartika month)

Situated at the confluence of two mighty rivers, the Ganga and Gandak, Sonepur is a small town amid picturesque surroundings, close to the Mahatma Gandhi Setu, the longest road bridge in Asia. Sonepur is famous for hosting one of Asia's largest cattle fairs. The month-long event, better known as Sonepur Mela, is held in the Hindi month of Kartika (November) every year for a month.

All kinds of working animals elephants to camels, cattle and goats are bought and sold at the fair. Besides, it's a fair of dance, music and fun and, as such, it draws tourists from all over India and abroad. The fair is visited by lakhs of people, and the congregation is the largest on the Kartik Purnima day when the festival opens. A bath in the Ganga and puja at the Hariharnath Mandir here on the day is considered auspicious.

Sonepur Tour Package / Sonepur Fair Tour Package

Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation offers special tour packages for Sonepur Fair. Like previous year this year too the Tourism Department of Bihar Government has offered two packages from state capital Patna, namely 1. Patna – Sonepur – Patna Tour Package & 2. Patna – Sonepur – Vaishali – Patna Tour Package.

Patna – Sonepur – Patna

One (1) Day Tour

Day 1: Pick up at 7:00 AM from Hotel Koutilya Vihar or Airport/ Railway Station/ Rajendra Nagar Swimming Pool. Departure for Sonepur, after arrival breakfast at Paryatak Gram, Sonepur. After breakfast departure for Mela (fair) viewing. See the cattle, animals, pets & birds bazaar. Come back to Paryatak Gram. Lunch at Paryatak Gram. After lunch departure for Motor Boat Ride. Visiting island in the river Gandak ½ hr stay and relaxation at island Viewing Banks of Gandak. After boat ride departure for Paryatak Gram. After evening tea & snacks departure for Patna. Arrival at Patna 7:00 PM.

Package Includes :- Transport, Boat ride, Breakfast, Lunch & Evening Tea and Snacks.

Sonepur Fair: From 09-11-2011 to 09.12.2011.

Patna – Sonepur – Vaishali – Patna

2 Days / 1 Night Tour

Patna – Vaishali – Kesharia – Rajgir – Bodhgaya – Patna

Day-1: Pick up at 7:00 AM from Hotel Koutilya Vihar or Airport/ Railway Station/ Rajendra Nagar Swimming Pool. Departure for Sonepur, after arrival breakfast at Paryatak Gram, Sonepur. After breakfast departure for Mela (fair) viewing. See the cattle, animals, pets & birds bazaar. Come back to Paryatak Gram. Lunch at Paryatak Gram. After lunch departure for Motor Boat Ride. Visiting island in the river Gandak ½ hr stay and relaxation at island Viewing Banks of Gandak. After boat ride departure for Paryatak Gram. After evening tea & snacks departure for evening cultural show at fair ground watching cultural musical show, back to Paryatak Gram. Dinner & night stay at Paryatak gram.

There is a facility of different types of massages for complete rejuvenation with the help of Kerala famous Ayurvedic centre M/S Healing Veda. This facility is available on the Payment basis.

Day-2- Departure for Vaishali - arrival to Patna

After breakfast departure for Vaishali - the Land of Amrapali. Visit Raja Vishal’s Garh, Mud Stupa, Abhishek Pushkarni, Coronation tank of Lichchavi's, Wiswa Shanti Stupa, Museum, & Ashokan Pillars, Lunch at Vaishali. After lunch Departure for Patna.

Package Includes :- Transport, Boat ride, Breakfast, Lunch & Evening Tea and Snacks.

Sonepur Fair: From 09-11-2011 to 09.12.2011.

History of Sonepur: The area of Sonepur along with neighbouring Hajipur was an integral part of the Vrijjian republic. The area of Sonepur-Hajipur remained for long under the influence of Vratyas or Kikatas who were famous for their wealth. Although Sonepur doesn't found its description in Buddhist and Jain literatures, but the "Records of Buddhist Religion" mentions the existence of a Sangharam, on the confluence of the Mahi and the Sagar, which were either small rivulets or tributaries of the Gandak. Legend has it that Sonepur was the place where, in pre historic times, the fight between the lords of the forest and the water, Gaj and Grah (elephant and crocodile) ended.

Other attractions in Sonepur


Harihar Nath Temple: The origin of the Shiva temple at Sonepur is shrouded in mystery. Orthodox Hindus believe Lord Rama built the temple on his way to Janakpur to win Sita. Raja Ram Narain, a noted figure of Bihar, built the present temple during the later Mughal period. The temple was recently reconstructed by the Birlas.

Nearby attractions from Sonepur: Vaishali, a place of high significance for Buddhist and Jain religions, is just 50 kms away from Sonepur. A large number of ancient relics have been found in Vaishali,which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Mahavir by a section of Jains. Lord Buddha had also passed this way.

Sonepur Fair, Sonepur Mela, Sonepur Cattle Fair, Sonepur Bihar Fair, Fair of Bihar, Sonepur Bihar Patna, Sonepur Fair Tour Package, Sonepur Tour Package, Sonepur Fair Package.

Image source: http://etatdubihar.blogspot.com/


For More Details About Sonepur Tour Package Visit - http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/SonepurFairTour.htm

Contact Person


Ajay Kumar, System Adminstrator-09430828188

Bihar State Tourism Development Co. Ltd.

B.C.P Marg, Patna

Ph:- 2225411 / 2506219

Fax:-0612-2506218

E-mail – bstdc@rediffmail.com

Website: http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/