Sonepur Mela, largest animal fair in Asia..

steven_ber

Sonepur is close to Patna, Bihar.

Can anyone tell me the first day of the Sonepur Mela this year?

(Kartika Purnima day???)



Thanks.

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Train information.

PeakXV

Doesn't that start on the Full Moon in November? If so 5th/6th this year.

http://www.tutiempo.net/en/moon/phases_11_2006.htm

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

steven_ber

Thanks PeakXV, I'd partially worked it out, but needed someone to confirm before I start booking tickets.

Anyone else thinking of going this year?

Anyone have any knowledge to share from previous visits?

Is 2 and a half days enough time to take in most of what the Mela has to offer?

Jorge Reverter

Steven,

I've seen we are heading east next November. As far as I have my itinerary absolutely open I'm now thinkingh about Sonepur Mela.

I arrive to Delhi on 8th Nov and my first idea is to fly to Bagdogra (taking then Toy Train to Darjeeling, etc) on 10th.

Do you have first hand experiences about this Mela???. Is really woth to spend a couple of days overthere??? I have made some researchs in Google and the information is almost always repeated, I've found an issue of Outlook Traveller (Jan. 2005) quite interesting.

As accommodation will be complicated, are you going back to Patna daily???? I've seen Luxury Tents at the site are very expensive and in Sonepur everything will be fully booked long time ago.

Jorge

maddog

I think wwusa has been to this mela you could try a PM to her!!

wonderwomanusa

Well, actually, I didn't get to the Sonepur mela, because of a combination of things.

If Steven goes, I certainly want to hear all about it!

steven_ber

First things first.......

To get to the Sonepur Mela from from New Jalpaiguri, the following trains may be useful......

Hajipur is across the river from Sonepur, all info I've read about getting to the Sonepur Mela suggests that Hajipur station is better than Sonepur station for getting to the Mela.

Train 5653 departs New Jalpaiguri (Wed. only) at 21:30 and gets to Muzaffarapur (55 Kms from Hajipur) at 06:55.

Train 5651 departs New Jalpaiguri (Mon. only) at 21:30 and gets to Hajipur at 07:43.

Train 5632 departs New Jalpaiguri (Thurs & Sat. only) at 18:30 and gets to Patna at 04:40.

Train 2505 departs New Jalpaiguri daily at 16:35 and gets to Patna at 03:25.

Train 4055 departs New Jalpaiguri daily at 22:30 and gets to Patna at 12:55.


Trains passing through New Jalpaiguri are notoriously late, thats why I've included so early morning arrivals.


I've not been to the Sonepur Mela, but have read a few articles about it. (there seemed to be more info available a couple of years ago when I first researched the Mela, incuding the Mela's own website).

There is a lot of info in the book 'Travels on my Elephant' by Mark Shand, he rode an elephant to the Mela.


More info later, I'm out of time.

Jorge Reverter

Steven,

I'm really thinking about going to Sonepur Mela on 10th Nov. from Delhi. I have several trains to Sonepur/Hajipur
2554 19.50 - 13.55
2562 20.40 - 14.36
2566 14.40 - 08.20

There are others but this have daily service.

In my opinion two full days is more than enough, at least for me. Then the most interesting is probably 2566 arriving in the morning to Sonepur or Hijapur, then staying two days at the Mela, that means 11th and 12th Nov., and leaving to darjeeling (New Jalpaiguri) on 13th on train 5610 05.15 - 17.55

My first problem is to find accommodation. Dou you have any idea, where to stay in Hajipur, Sonepur, Patna or in the Tourist Village in the fair????

Another question: I've read I don't know where that the Mela lasts a fothnight, and in other sites they mentionned 1 - 30th November. In general it seems is a long month fair ???

Jorge

steven_ber

Most things I read suggest it is a month long Mela.

Try this link for a small bit of info about accommodation at Sonepur.

I've read that there is a boat to a small Island in the river from the Sonepur side of the bridge from Hajipur (turn right from the bridge), this Island is turned into a small (expensive £50-60) tourist village for the duration of the Mela.

I don’t know where I'll stay at the moment, but it's extremely unlikely that I'll pay £50, I'd be more 'at home' sleeping on the ground near the Ghats, or in someone's tent.

I'll get there on the morning of the 7th, I'll go into Hajipur on the 8th to use the Internet, so if I find out more about accommodation, I'll let you know.

Wow, early start, and a daytime train through Bihar (expect delays).

There are overnight options from Patna (stn code PNBE).

Jorge Reverter

Steven,

I have tried in this web site, they only give availabity in the Tourist Village. For prices and reservation it seems you must email them. Anyway, not interested at the price you mentionned.

May be I'll stay one more day or leaving Patna by overnight train instead of waking up so early.

I'll try to contact hotels in Patna, is probably the best solution. For the moment I have only the email of Rajasthan Hotel, more or less reccommended by Spiritual Guides. hotelrajasthan@hotmail.com

As far as I can understand, Kartik Purnima is on 5th November, then is the same if it lasts 15 or 30 days.

I'll keep in touch if I get some more information.

Jorge

Jorge Reverter

Steven,

If interested in hotels in Patna, have found a web page interesting for booking hotels on line. http://www.inasra.com

hotel Republic and H. President looks not bad.

Jorge

Jorge Reverter

Steven,

I know you changed your mind about your trip to India traveling with the full family. I must have a look at the thread you have open about your trip to Goa.

First thing to say about Sonepur Mela: Was a terrible disappointing. It seems that the only interesting days were the first two days of the Kartika Purnima (first full moon after Divalli), the fair lasted four weeks but no interest at all as Shadu Naga and the people went away. Even the elephants were no more than twenty spread in a quite big area. Must say that I've arrived the fourth day of the Mela....., and was cloudy with little rains, dirty, etc., on the other hand Patna is the most horrible town in India and there is absolutely nothing to do or to see in town. At the evening there are not even lighting in the main streets of the city, really terrible. I was in a good hotel: Hotel Windsor with a very good veg. restaurant, and the only thing to do was to wait until my departure to NJP. My greatest disappointing in India. So, if someone is interested in this Sonepur Mela for next November, please go the first day of the Kartika Purnima.

Jorge

wonderwomanusa

I will take your advice and, next time in India, try to get to Sonepur for the full moon!

Thanks so much for the report, Jorge!

sirensongs

Oh man, I am in Patna right now and have to agree with everything Jorge said. It is just unpleasant. The Windsor, Sarvodaya and Magadh hotels are fine, and the Maurya (only star hotel) of course, but otherwise....I am here tracking down a Buddhist news story, otherwise I can't wait to leave!

Some very nice people though, who are genuinely concerned about my safety (so many people have walked me to the cycle rick to make sure I was only charged 5rs and went to the right place). Too bad they are stuck in such a state. I hope things improve for the people of Bihar, who have so much history in their region.

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mikewill

How weird!

We stayed in Patna for a couple of nights last February and really enjoyed it. Almost no other tourists, so no hassle, overcharging etc. Very friendly people - we spent ages on top of the Gol Ghar with a group of youths who wanted to know all the usual answers.

Had been apprehensive beforehand but it was a great surprise. Stayed in Hotel Magadh - bright, clean, comfortable, friendly. We were told that all the old problems with theft etc. had stopped and there was certainly no evidence of trouble for us.

Shame about the mela Jorge - better luck next time!

Mike