Harihar Cattle Fair Sonepur

THE FAIR

A visual extravaganza awaits all at the Sonepur Fair, where multitudes congregate on Kartik Purnima to offer obeisance to Harihar Nath and participate in the biggest cattle fair in Asia. Festivities stretch over a fortnight, giving visitors a feel of the pulse of Bihar.

According to the Indian almanac, the full moon day or Purnima of the month of Kartik, which usually falls in November, is one of the most auspicious days. A number of big fairs are held at important paces of pilgrimage and the Harihar Kshetra Mela, as the Sonepur Fair is also known, is one of the biggest.

HISTORY

Sonepur is located in Saran district in the northern part of Bihar. Three mighty rivers – the Ganga, Gandak, and Ghagra, demarcate this district, which is shaped like a triangle. Sonepur stands on the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak.

The Sonepur Fair is of great importance and in the olden times, it attracted traders from as far as Central Asia. Like the origin of the Harihar Nath Temple, the reason for the inception of the Sonepur Fair is lost in the labyrinth of time. The site of the present fair was originally at Hajipur, and only the pujas used to be offered in the temple at Sonepur. During the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the fair was shifted to Sonepur. In the pre-independence era, the European indigo planters used it as an occasion for social and sports gathering.

The original temple is believed to have been built by Lord Rama on his way to the court of King Janak to win Sita. The age and origin of the present temple has puzzled scholars but it is said that Raja Man Singh had it repaired. The builder of the present temple was Raja Ram Narain, a prominent figure during the late Mughal period. The Birlas recently conducted repairs and extension work in the temple.

THE SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS

Visiting the temple of Harihar Nath is naturally the main objective of the visitors to the fair after they have taken their ritual bath in the swirling waters of the Gandak. As in many other famous places of worship, a number of smaller temples of other deities surround the temple of Harihar Nath Mahadeo.

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Ved Prakash Sinha
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World’s most famous cattle fair/mela

SONEPUR: The world famous Harihar Kshetra mela, popularly known as Sonepur mela, is all set to begin here on Thursday with the lighting of the traditional lamp by the state land reforms and revenue minister, Ramai Ram.

Chief Minister Rabri Devi, the chief guest of the inaugural function, has reportedly refused to inaugurate the fair on the ground that the day falls on the eve of “Kartik Purnima” which is considered inauspicious in Hindu mythology with regard to beginning of any new work.

The Sonepur mela is held here on a sprawling 200 acres of land. The mela will continue for 25 days. As per the tradition, lakhs of people assemble at different ghats of Harihar Kshetra at Hajipur and Sonepur on the eve of “Kartik Purnima” and take holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, the Gandak and the Mehi rivers. The devotees offer “Gangajal” to the Hariharnath temple and this ritual marks the beginning of the Sonepur mela.

The Sonepur mela has a profound historic grandeur. According to the travelogue of a British administrative officer, W W Hynter, in 1919, the Sonepur mela used to be held in over 43 villages in the past.

According to sources, the mela venue in the past also used to serve as a prime place for freedom movement. In fact, the fair was for the first time held on the Hajipur side around the 16th century. Later, the mela was shifted to the Sonepur side at the initiative of the then British officials to suppress the freedom movement.

According to official sources, the Sonepur mela is losing its sheen gradually due to the apathetic attitude of the state government. The arrival of cattle, particularly elephants, is expected to be poor this year. The ban on sale of elephants has badly affected the fair.

Expressing anguish, a local said: “J ab Laluji MP hai tab bhi mela ka kuchh hua aur Rabri Devi bhi udghatan karne nahin aa rahi hai .”

“The state government has reduced the grandeur and image of the Sonepur mela to that of a nautanki mela ,” said former civil aviation minister and Chapra BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy while talking to ToI here on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Vaishali district administration has made elaborate security arrangements at the Kaunhara ghat.

Thanks & Regards,

Ved Prakash Sinha
09334851615

For, Renown Advertising & Management Group
210-A, Ashiana Galaxy
Exhibition Road, Patna – 1 (BIHAR)
09334853329

www.renowngroup.co.cc
www.renownadvertising.blogspot.com : www.ruraladvertising.blogspot.com

vedprakash@renowngroup.co.cc  ;  advertising@renowngroup.co.cc