Asia’s biggest cattle reasonable, the Sonepur Mela, is back in 2025, advertising a colorful mix of convention, culture, and commerce. Held every year on the banks of the Ganges and Gandak waterways in Sonepur, Bihar, this famous occasion draws millions of guests from all over India—and beyond.
About Sonepur Mela
Also known as Hariharnath Kshetra Sonepur Mela, this reasonable was begun to adore the Master Hariharnath (Shiva & Vishnu). As it pulls in a few individuals from all over Asia, it is the biggest cattle reasonable to be facilitated in Asia.
The reasonable is facilitated for 15 days and carries on for a month. The primary reason of this reasonable is the exchanging of creatures, which held a awesome significance in the antiquated period. The reasonable is celebrated on the banks of Gandak Waterway in Bihar and it is held in the month of November or December of each year.
History Of Sonepur Mela In Bihar
The beginning of the Sonepur Reasonable can be dated back to the 4th century BC when Chandragupta Maurya, an Indian lord, utilized to run the show the zone. At first, Hajipur utilized to be the location of Sonepur Mela when as it were puja was performed at the popular Harihar Nath Sanctuary.
It is accepted that this sanctuary was built by Master Rama whereas he was going to Ruler Janak’s court for the marriage proposition with Sita. Since at that point, this sanctuary is of extraordinary centrality, particularly among the locals.
The reasonable is moreover organized in the recognition of Ruler Vishnu’s intercession in the midst of the longstanding battle between a crocodile (grah) and an elephant (gaj) in Hindu mythology.
The fight was a image of water battling with timberland. Whereas the elephant was showering in the Stream Gandak, a crocodile assaulted it. To resolve the matter, Master Vishnu had to intercede and spare the elephant.
It is amid the rule of Aurangzeb, the Mughal head, that the genuine reasonable begun in Sonepur with a few exhibitions, slows down, etc. The fundamental center of the reasonable utilized to be the exchanging of creatures like elephants and feathered creatures.
But with the strict authorization of the Natural life Security Act in 1972, the exchanging of elephants was prohibited. Presently, they are lined up in the reasonable as an fascination and are not for sale.
Dates For Sonepur Mela
The dates for Sonepur Mela are picked agreeing to the Hindu Calendar. So, the mela commences in the Kartik month on the full moon day too called Kartik Poornima. It more often than not falls in either November or December concurring to the Gregorian Calendar. Sonepur Mela is from 20th November to 5th December.
Major Attractions Of Sonepur Mela
A visit to Sonepur Mela remains fragmented if you do not enjoy in these encounters or pay a visit to the fundamental attractions of the reasonable. So, take a see at the list and make beyond any doubt not to miss out on them this year.
1. Hariharnath Temple
This is the same sanctuary where the root of this reasonable can be followed back to. Given to Ruler Hariharnath, it is accepted that this is the same location where the master settled the fight between an elephant and a crocodile.
The structure of the sanctuary has disintegrated over the a long time and the show structure that we witness was built in the Mughal period by Raja Smash Narain. On the day of Kartik Poornima, lovers from a few places arrive here to offer their supplications to Master Hariharnath and take a plunge in the heavenly intersection of Waterway Gandak and Ganga.
2. Sonepur Cattle Fair
How can a visit to this reasonable be total without seeing the cattle reasonable, the primary reason behind the Sonepur Mela? Indeed if you do not wish to exchange creatures, you can witness how elephants are enhanced for the reasonable.
Other than them, you will too see breeds of steeds, jackasses, pooches, rabbits, buffaloes, goats, camel, and horses. Poultry and fowls are too accessible for deal at this reasonable. As a wide cluster of creatures are exchanged here, it has pulled in and still lures worldwide guests from Japan, Kazakhstan, France, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, and US.
3. Sports
The Sonepur reasonable is not restricted to cattle reasonable and ceremonies but there is an dynamic side to this. You will discover a few sports that are organized for individuals.
A few of them are Kushti, Dangal, Cricket, Football, Volleyball, Handball, Rassa-Kassi, Rugby, Kabbaddi, and more. The best portion of these exercises is that they are organized for both females and guys. If you are interested in sports at that point you must enlist in it some time recently the reasonable begins.
4. Ganga Maha Aarti
One of the best things to witness here in the evening is the Maha Aarti which is held on the juncture of Stream Gandak and Ganga. Moreover known as Narayani Stream, the advancement of this waterway has been said in Heavenly Shiva Purana in the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata.
Stream Gandak starts from the ice sheets that are found on the Nepal-Tibet border and it passes through Nepal, Regal Chitwan National Stop, and Valmiki Tiger Saves, after which it at last meets Stream Ganga. In the evening, when the ghat is lit up with diyas and lights, the see is mesmerizingly astonishing to be missed.
Stays Close Sonepur Mela
As millions of individuals arrive at Sonepur to go to the Mela, the Bihar Tourism offers settlement in woven straw cabins and camps with joined western lavatories. The camps are set close the reasonable as it were so that it does not take long to reach the setting.
Separated from this, there are courses of action in BSTDC Traveler Bungalow where you can book rooms or quarters beds and get hotel-like administrations. As there will be restricted rooms, it is way better to book them as early as conceivable. Besides, there are a few Government Visitor Houses which are accessible for government officers.
How To Reach Sonepur?
One can reach Sonepur in a few ways like through prepare, by plane or by street. Check these alternatives out and see which one will be the most helpful one for you.
By Discuss: The closest airplane terminal is found in Patna that goes by the title Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Universal Air terminal. Since it is arranged 31 kilometers absent from Sonepur, you will have to take a taxi to get to the destination.
By Prepare: As Sonepur is prepared with a working railroad station, traveling by prepare is the best alternative for guests. Other than Sonepur Intersection Railroad Station, there are other railroad stations in Patna and Hajipur.
Sonepur shapes a imperative portion of the East Central Railroad which is why it is associated to a few adjacent cities. If not coordinate trains, at that point you can effectively discover backhanded trains to reach Sonepur. It is approximately 872 kilometers absent from Guwahati Intersection and 1,088 kilometers absent from Modern Delhi. So, you will have to alter trains to reach the destination.
Tips For Going by Sonepur Mela
Here a few focuses to keep in intellect whereas going to the popular Sonepur Mela in Bihar:-
On the day of Kartik Poornima, dodge swarmed regions and do not carry expensive things with you. It is suggested to remain in your group.
Make beyond any doubt that you pack the right kind of footwear as the reasonable is all almost strolling and investigating and you might not need to harmed your feet. Too, do a small bit of workout to make your legs prepared for strongly walking.
Avoid carrying resources like mobiles, cameras, and other things.
Book your all tickets in development something else, you might not get hold of them later.
Check the plan already and arrange your day appropriately.
