Sonepur Mela 2019—in appreciation of rural India

While we are mostly attending events and fairs in big cities, parts of rural India also have some fascinating fairs, or as the locals call them, melas. The Sonepur Mela 2019 is one such fair, promising a wholly different experience to anyone who would like to see the other side of India. The festival is a mix of entertainment, animal trade, spirituality, and more, with thousands of performers and visitors coming in each day.

What is the Sonepur fair?
Also known as the Sonepur Cattle Fair, this is the biggest cattle fair in India and attracts visitors from across Asia. It can be traced back to the 4th century BC, to the Mauryan Empire. According to historical records, the festival was not always held here at Sonepur. It was during the rule of Aurangzeb that the venue got shifted to Sonepur.
Sonepur is also home to the Harihar Nath Temple, which is believed to have been built by Lord Rama himself. Then, there is also a legend that says Lord Vishnu had intervened to end a discord between a crocodile and an elephant, and this fair commemorates that event.

Sonepur as a trade and cattle fair


One of the main attractions of the fair is the trading of animals and birds. However, due to wildlife protection laws, there are restrictions on the trading of animals. That is one reason why the number of animals that are being traded at the fair has declined over the years. Also, in recent years, there are no birds or camels at the fair either. Sale of horses has also dropped at the fair.

The festival is also a place for pilgrims and devotees and is usually thronged by numerous tantriks, who gather here from across the country. Because Sonepur is on the confluence of River Ganga, it is a major spot for people to take dips in the holy river. The riverbank is a great place to spend some quality time early in the morning.
The festival attracts both domestic and international tourists and is a major event in the Bihar Tourism board’s calendar. You can get a closer look into the culture and traditions of Bihar, as the fair has numerous shops and stalls selling handicrafts and other local items. Then, there are food stalls with major food chains, alongside local delicacies available here.

The festival is currently ongoing and will go on until December 13, 2019.