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The famed cattle
fair is held at Sonepur, in Northern
Bihar on the banks of the River Ganga.
It is one Of the Asia's largest cattle fair. The full moon day of the month
of Kartik (November) is regarded as one of the most
auspicious days for the Hindus. Sonepur situated on
the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga
and Gandak, has the reverence of a blessed ground
and lasts for a fortnight. In ancient times the Royal Rajahs and Nawabs used to camp here. The Sonepue
Fair has unique and historical importance
A bath at the confluence and a visit to the Hariharnath temple here is the aim for thousands of
devotees on the Kartika Purnima
day.
The sprawling mela ground here with
the pulsating market has the widest possible range of cattle and commodities.
The array of shops sells all sorts of merchandise. Sonepur
Fair There lived a huge crocodile in this lake. An elephant came with a herd
to the tank to have a bath. The crocodile caught the elephant's leg in the
mighty jaw and tried to drag him into deep water. The elephant gave a stiff
resistance. The struggle continued for thousands years and ultimately all the
elephants and the crocodiles joined in the fight. The elephant, beginning to
weaken, prayed to the supreme god Sri Hari(Lord Vishnu), to help him. His prayer was heard and Sri Hari saved him from the grip of the crocodile in the
presence of Hara and other gods.
It is said
that the due to the shouting of spectators as "Kaun
Hara, Kaun Hara" (Who is defeated) the bank is
named as "Konhara".
only one of its kind where a large number of elephants are sold.
These are purchased mainly by forest departments. Apart from elephants, a
large number of cattle and horses are also brought to the fair for sale.
Various folk shows, games and jugglers can be seen in the fair.
- Latitude: 25.42 North
- Longitude: 85.13 East
- Temperature (Max./Min.) Deg C: Summer 44/21 Winter 23/6
- Rainfall:120 cms
- Best Season: October to March
Harihar Temple :
The Hariharnath temple at Sonepur
in Saran district is known for the great historical mythological fair on Kartik Purnima day. It is attended
by millions of devotees who take holy bath in the river Shaligrami
(known as Gandak) and worship in
Harihar
Temple. The
village of
Sonepur gets a new look
during the fair.
Sonepur has the legend that this was the
actual place where, in pre-historic times, the fight ended between the lords
of the forest and the water, Gaj and Grah- the elephant and the crocodile.
There lived a huge crocodile in this lake. An elephant came with
a herd to the tank to have a bath. The crocodile caught the elephant's leg in
the mighty jaw and tried to drag him into deep water. The elephant gave a
stiff resistance. The struggle continued for thousands years and ultimately
all the elephants and the crocodiles joined in the fight. The elephant,
beginning to weaken, prayed to the supreme god Sri Hari(Lord Vishnu), to help
him. His prayer was heard and Sri Hari saved him
from the grip of the crocodile in the presence of Hara and other gods.
It is said that the due to the shouting of spectators as "Kaun Hara, Kaun Hara" (Who
is defeated) the bank is named as "Konhara".
Distance
Chart
·
Air: Nearest Airport is Patna
Airport which is approx 30 Kms from
sonepur. Patna is well connected by
air from adjacent big cites and metropolitan cities. There are Many flights for patna.
- Rail: Hajipur
Nearest Railway Station is Hajipur which is
zonal head. Here is also a reservation counter. Hajipur
is well connected by other cities of india.
- Road: Vaishali
is well connected by road to Patna (56 Kms),
Muzaffarpur (36 Kms)
and Hazipur (35 Kms)
Tourist Bungalow:
Ambapali Vihar, Vaishali-844128. Ph.0622-285425.
Rooms
available: Non-A/C Room (Dbl.),Non-A/C
Room (Sngl.) and
Dormitory
Beds. Facilities:
Restaurant, Coach/Car Parking
Youth Hostel:
Room
available: Non-A/C Room (Dbl.), Dormitory
Beds.Facilities
: Restaurant, Coach/Car
Parking
Vaishali Mahotsava:
Vaishali mahotsava is held to
celebrate the birth anniversary of the Jain  Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir on the
full moon day of the month of "Vaisakh" (mid-April).
Arts and
Crafts: Several villages around Vaishali
make delightful home made toys.Sikki Work, the humble blade of grass is hand-woven into
delightful baskets and mats. Lac bangles, these handmade lac
bangles come from nearby city Muzaffarpur.
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