Saturday, September 17, 2011

Sonepur Fair : Introduction, Location, How To Reach, History, World's Biggest cattle carnivals, Attraction, Harihar Nath Temple

Sonepur Fair : Introduction, Location, How To Reach, History, World's Biggest cattle carnivals, Attraction, Harihar Nath Temple



Venue :Sonepur, Bihar (held on the bank of river Ganga)
Time: Kartik Purnima (November)
Duration: Fifteen days (approximately)
Cycle:Yearly
Highlights: World's one of the biggest cattle carnivals
Legends: Gajendra moksha is related to Sonepur Mela
Place of Worship: Hariharanath Mahadeo Temple
Attractions :Cattle Fair (Elephant and Horse)
Nearby Airport :Patna
Nearby Railway St: Patna or Hajipur

Introduction



Sonepur Mela is the one of largest cattle fairs of the world. It is a historical and ancient event celebrated every year on bank of pious confluence of Gandak and the Ganges river, on the back drop of Harihar Nath Temple. On Kartik Purnima lacs of Devotees flock to offer prayer at this temple after taking a holy dip in the river.

The mela 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.

History
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.
It has its origins during ancient times. This is when Chandragupta Maurya used to buy elephants and horses across the river Ganges. The mela used to attract traders from places as distant as Central Asia.

Originally, the venue of the fair was Hajipur and only the performance of the puja used to take place at the Harihar Nath temple of Sonepur. However, under the rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the venue of the fair got shifted to Sonepur. The temple of Harihar Nath is believed to have been originally built by Lord Rama, on his way to the court of King Janak to win the hand of Mata Sita. It is further said that Raja Man Singh later got the temple repaired. The Harihar Nath temple, as it stands today, was built by Raja Ram Narain, an influential person during the late Mughal period.

Fair Duration
A fortnight following the first full moon day in the Hindu month of Kartik Shukla Paksh (Kartik Purnima), which occurs in the period October/ November. Precise duration to be checked up every January.



Hariharnath Temple


The temple of Harihar Nath is believed to have been originally built by Lord Ram, the famous prince of Ayodhya, on his way to the court of King Janak to win the hand of Mata Sita.

It is further said that Raja Man Singh later got the temple repaired. The Harihar Nath temple, as it stands today, was built by Raja Ram Narain and the most recent repairs on the temple were undertaken by the Birlas.
 FOR THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF SONEPUR FAIR


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