Sonepur Fair Bihar

A traditional Fair that has remained pristine in its charm through the ages. Legend has it that two brothers, devotees of Lord Vishnu, one wily and the other honest, cast a spell upon each other making one an elephant and the other a crocodile. On a Kartik Purnima day, the honest elephant went to the confluence of the holy river Ganga and Gandak to bathe and was attacked by the wily crocodile. Lord Vishnu himself intervened and delivered good from evil.

Boats at the river banks, loosely robed sadhu (holy men), freshly washed animals, shops and pavements overflowing with goods, swirling crowds in joyful moods, curious onlooker - such are the scenes that dominate this wonderful fair.

The central draw of the fair is cattle trade. All species of birds, poultry, bovines and beasts of burden specially elephants, have a market here.

The post-harvest season for paddy crops coincides significantly. Sales are brisk in foodgrains, readymade garments, implements, weapons, furniture, perfumes, costume jewellery, handcrafted folk toys and utensils in wood, copper, brass and steel.

The fair entertains visitors with 'nautanki' - a typical musical dramaperformance. Other attractions are the circus, magic shows, fortune-telling parrots and pedlars of fancy goods.
The Sonepur Mela is indeed A Fair to Remember, year after year.

Fair Duration :
A fortnight following the first full moon day in the Hindu month of Kartik Shukla Paksh (Kartik Purnima), which occurs in the period October/November, Precise duration to be checked up every January.

How to reach :
Sonepur is 25 kms across the river Ganga from Patna, the capital city of Bihar, which receives direct daily flights from Delhi and Calcutta, and is a major railway junction also linked by road to important towns on the Calcutta - Delhi route.

Excursion :
35 Kms. From Sonepur and 55 Kms. From Patna, Vaishali has a past that pre-dates history. This is where Lord Buddha was initiated into religion.