Every year in month of November and December I miss the colors of Sonpur fair, because I am far away from that temple town called Harihar Kshetra. From 1987 to 2008 my family use to live very near to sonpur. We were living at SDO road, Hajipur. Our house was just half kilometers from mela ground. So we enjoy much during mela period.
On the day of Kartika Purnima people from different locations comes for holy bath in river Narayani and Ganga. Actually at Sonpur river Naryani (Gandak) meets to Ganga. Hindu epic Vishnu Purana tells about importance of this place. Here a fight for survival held between Gaj (Elephant) and Grah (Crocodile). Gaj called lord Vishnu to save his life and lord came to help him. The place of sangam of Gandak and ganga called Konhara Ghat. More than three lakh of people takes holy bath in river on the day of Kartika Purnima. One this day all banks of river looks filled with devotees. Sidhi Ghat, Janani Ghat, Hajuri Math, Kaushlya Ghat, Konhara Ghat every where you can see the huge gathering. Journalist and Historian Late Tej Pratap Chauhan says, Konhara ghat area of Hajipur was a great center of Hindu saints in Gupta period. There are so many Maths and ashram situated in Hajipur. Still we see here Hajuri Math, Ramchaura and Baithak of Mahaprbhu Vallabhachara, a great saint of 15th century.
History of Sonpur fair starts from Mauryan period, 3rd century BC. Mauryan kings bought elephants and horses from this fair. Historically fair was held on Hajipur are, on east banks of Gandak. We still see names like Nakhas, Hela bazaar, Magarhatta, Katra, Pandariba like names in old city area of Hajipur. Actually these are mela grounds. But during the period of mughal king Aurnganjeb mela sifted to west bank of Gnadak river in Sonpur.
In Sonpur there is a great Hindu temple, called Hariharnath temple. It is a temple of lord Vishnu and lord Shiva both the Gods. After taking holy bath in river people use to go for worship of Hariharnath.
Now come to the fair. It is not only a cattle fair, but you can buy everything of your need from mela, wooden furniture, agriculture goods, spices, woolen clothes, shoes, garments, cosmetic products, religious books etc. Shopkeepers and sellers from all over India comes to Sonpur fair. The Sonpur Fair once used to attract traders from places as distant as Central Asia
Sonpur fair is also filled with entertainment, dance shows, theaters; cultural programs are attraction of fair. Nautanki show of fair is very famous. Now Bihar tourism and public relation department of state government use to organize cultural program daily. Famous folk singers use to entertain here. Are you asking about timing of fair? Don’t worry. Entertainment never ends, fair is open 24*7.
No sell or purchase but donation - Although Sonpur fair is famous as a cattle fair. You can find here elephant, horse, camel, ass, ox, cow, buffalo and also so many types of birds. On part of mela is known as Chidia bazaar. ( Market of birds). It is said that Hero of Indian freedom movement Veer Kunwar Singh also bought horses for his need from Sonpur mela. Now rules changed and government of India banned selling of elephants. But every year more than 40 elephants come to Sonpur fair. Noted journalist of Sonpur Mr. Surendra Manpuri tells, Now no sell or purchase of elephants done in fair, but it goes with process with donation. You can see here elephants bathing in river Gandak. Mahawat of elephant make colorful designs on back of elephant to attract people.
Urbanization of rural India has changed the picture of traditional fairs, Sonpur fair has also witnessed so many changes, but it is still one of the largest fair of India. The official duration of fair is 30 days.
How to reach – From state capital Patna sonpur is just 25 kilometers. You may book hotel in Patna and visit sonpur fair, or you can choose to live in Hajipur. From Hajipur (HJP) railway station fair is just four Km and from Sonpur railway station distance in two kilometers. Do come to enjoy colors of real India.
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