Bird Market at Sonepur, Bihar

The Sonepur Cattle Fair/Mela or Harihar Kshetra Mela is held on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu lunar month of Karthik in Sonepur, in the Saran district in the northern part of Bihar. The Mela held on the banks of river Ganga most particularly on the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak. Till date, it is the biggest cattle fair of Asia. The fair continues for about fifteen days to one month. According to local folklore Sonepur Cattle Fair revives the Gajendra moksha legend which is related to the Hariharanatha Temple in Sonepur. This mela is the biggest cattle fair in India.

The Sonepur Fair is the only one where such a large number of birds are sold. A wide variety of animals and dogs are also brought to the fair for sale.Asia's largest animal fair takes place in Sonepur, In the northern Indian state of Bihar. Sonepur mela is held in the place called Sonepur which is in Saran district of Northern Bihar. Sonepure is approximately 35 Kms from Patna. Sonepur Mela is the biggest and most interesting cattle fair in India. Visitors can simply browse through the many market stalls or enjoy traditional dancing, carnival acts and regional food and drink. At the Sonepur mela one can buy almost anything from a needle to a sword , dog to an elephant.

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