Sonpur Mela

The Sonepur Cattle Fair or Malegaon Mela (Hindi: सोनपुर मेला) is held on Kartik Poornima (the full moon day) in the month of November in Sonepur, Bihar, on the confluence of river Gangesand 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 Sonepur Cattle Fair once used to attract traders from places as distant as Central Asia.

The Fair Trade

Many farm animals can be bought at the Sonepur mela from all breeds of dogs, buffaloes, donkeys, ponies, Persian horses, rabbits, goats and even the occasional camel. Many varieties of birdsand poultry are also available. The area that attracts all, however, is the Haathi Bazaar where elephants are lined up for sale. The Sonepur Fair is the only one where such a large number ofelephants are traded - although they cannot legally be sold. Numerous stalls are also set up at the grounds of the Sonepur 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.

Info

Getting There: Sonepur is well connected by road to the nearby towns and cities. Moreover, Sonepur is 25 kilometers from Patna, which is well connected by air, rail and road to the other parts of the country.

Time of the year: Get The Way To Fair / AIR-WAY/RAIL-WAY/ROAD-WAY

Duration: One Month (approximately in Month of November - December)

Cycle: Yearly

Source: wikipedia