The state of Bihar is located east of India. Located in the fertile plains of the Ganges, the capital and largest city is Patna, but is best known for the famous cattle fair Sonepur , a district at the confluence of two sacred rivers, Ganges and Gandak.
When it's full moon encourages the month of Kartik, equivalent to November in the Gregorian calendar, and for fifteen days, meets the historic Sonepur Fair, a unique event, which in ancient times was visited by kings and princes Nawab .
This is one of the largest cattle fairs to be held in Asia congregate an immense variety of animal traders and commodities. According to legend, this place had a lake inhabited by an enormous crocodile, Lord of Water.
Once a herd of elephants came down to drink and crocodiles caught an elephant, the lord of the jungle, and tried to drag him into the depths of the lake. The elephant resisted and this fight between the crocodile and the elephant took thousands of years.
When the elephant started to weaken pleaded with Vishnu, his prayer was heard and Sri Hari was saved from the jaws of a crocodile. So one of the main objects of the fair is the trade in elephants, in fact, Indian elephants are the great attraction of the market.
The river banks are filled with boats that bring large numbers of animals: elephants, camels, cows, horses, buffaloes, goats, poultry for sale and even dogs and cats, the holy men wear light "sadhus" and the animals look clean and bright. The sidewalks are quickly occupied by shops full of goods, and people come with high spirits and curiosity.
Fair Sonepur coincides with the harvest of rice, and other attractions that include the sale of grain, clothing, agricultural implements, furniture, perfumes, jewelry, toys and utensils popular crafts in wood, copper, brass and steel. The jugglers and artists to install their fair profit scenarios, such as "nautanki", a typical representation of a traditional musical drama. Other attractions are the circus, magic and fortune telling.
It is very easy to get to Sonepur in your India trip, as is 25 miles up the river Ganges in Patna , the capital, where flights arrive daily from Delhi and Calcutta , is also well connected by rail and roads. If the idea is to stay, you will find cabins furnished in a tourist village set in the grounds of the fair, with offerings that include an elephant ride.
The Sonepur Mela is a fair to remember and return, year after year.