Sonepur Mela
Ghat · Sonepur, Saran, Bihar
Pilgrims come for the holy dip at the confluence on Kartik Purnima and then for darshan at the Harihar...
Asia's largest cattle fair, held on the sands at the confluence. It opens on Kartik Purnima with mass bathing in the river and runs from a fortnight to a month. Besides the Haathi Bazaar and the livestock lines there are stalls of garments, weapons, furniture, toys, jewellery and handicrafts, cultural programmes, Swiss cottages, a toy train, motor-boat rides on the Gandak and a fairground park. Elephant numbers have fallen sharply in recent years. Chandragupta Maurya is said to have bought elephants and horses here.
Plan your visit
- Area
- Sonepur
Festivals
- Kartik Purnima, November (November–December)
Experiences here
- Chhath on the ghats: Bihar's own festival, and the largest thing that happens here
- Sonepur Mela: Asia's largest cattle fair, a month long, where two rivers meet
Tirtham can arrange here
Guide, car and stay around Sonepur
Also around Sonepur
- The Kartik Purnima fair at Sonepur: Asia's largest livestock fair, at the meeting of the Ganga and the Gandak, from Kartik Purnima.
Nearby places
- Harihar Nath Temple, Sonepur: Pilgrims take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga and the Gandak and then worship the Harihar...
- Ami Ambika Bhawani Temple: Believers come from far off to offer oblation at the yagya kund and the well of the goddess
- Chirand: Pilgrims come for the Chyavana-ashrama association and the annual fair; the mound itself draws visitors...
- Silhauri: Devotees come to worship Shilanath, chiefly at Shivaratri
- Gautam Asthan, Revelganj: Pilgrims come for the Ahalya episode of the Ramayana and to bathe in the Saryu at the ashram
- Dhorh Ashram: Devotees come to worship the large lingam at a riverside shrine of archaeological interest
Questions pilgrims ask
Why is Sonepur Mela important?
Asia's largest cattle fair, held on the sands at the confluence. It opens on Kartik Purnima with mass bathing in the river and runs from a fortnight to a month. Besides the Haathi Bazaar and the livestock lines there are stalls of garments, weapons, furniture, toys, jewellery and handicrafts, cultural programmes, Swiss cottages, a toy train, motor-boat rides on the Gandak and a fairground park. Elephant numbers have fallen sharply in recent years. Chandragupta Maurya is said to have bought elephants and horses here.
Which festivals are celebrated at Sonepur Mela?
Kartik Purnima, November (November–December).
Can Tirtham plan a yatra to Sonepur Mela?
Yes. Tell us how long you have and who is going, and Tirtham plans the days, the guide, the car and the stay.
Plan my Yatra. Rather talk to someone? Call or WhatsApp +91 87893 56605, or contact us.