Sonepur Mela, largest animal fair in Asia..

sirensongs · Jan 27th, 2007, 21:10

Quote:

We stayed in Patna for a couple of nights last February and really enjoyed it. Almost no other tourists, so no hassle,

Believe it or not I have been here a WEEK now (!) and it is fine...just chaotic and extremely polluted. People are nice enough and everything is here (place to buy DVDs, Reebok sandals and so on) - it's just really hard to find it! The worst part of travel is figuring out where all the necessities are in a new city.

Also stayed at Magadh and the new Hotel Nand. Mistake was arriving ona weekend...everything booked solid! I nearly slept in a restaurant!

Ambasagou · Feb 13th, 2007, 02:51

Can anyone tell me when the Sonepur Mela opens this year? We will be in India from Oct. 31 until November 24. Part of our planned trip includes traveling from Varanasi to Darjeeling. I was considering breaking that segment with a stop at the Sonepur Mela, but according to past posts it seems that unless you coincide with the opening day it may not be worth it.

I also learned that we will be in India for Diwali (Nov. 9). Can someone share with me what we might expect on this holiday? Should we try to be anywhere in particular?

-Shawn

Palexurdy · Feb 13th, 2007, 07:45

I'm sure the dates are on the web, Amba. It’s something like a month, from the third week in October. I went there a few weeks in.

The fair wasn't that big; there are comparable Sunday markets near my home town. Stalls sold mostly standard stuff; clothes, trinkets & food. To the far side of the plot is a small village of mud-walled houses. Through the village & past some fields are the river ghats & a few temples.

I wouldn’t advise against going there, but seeing as you'll miss the beginning, you might think about somewhere else, like Sasaram or Bodh Gaya. There are probably other interesting places along the way.

Varanasi is supposed to have quite big Diwali celebrations.

ranjan154 · Feb 13th, 2007, 09:00

yes, i agree i was also there this time as Palexurdy said, as far mela is concerned, if you want to see nearly a million cattles together you should be there

and that on the first, second day of mela. That's the big attraction rest all is like any other rural fair.. check out some my photographs which i took in mela..

traveler_jen · May 28th, 2007, 23:40

Hi, I plan to be at the Mela this year after spending Diwali in Sikkim. According to this site the Mela doesn't start until the 24th. Hope to see you there!!
http://www.indobase.com/events/detai...attle-fair.php

Jorge Reverter · May 29th, 2007, 01:18

traveler_jen,

Be sure about the exact date the Sonepur Mela starts, because last year in Nov 2006 I arrived on the third or fourth day and was like any other cattle fair. No interest at all!!!. and Bihar is not the best place to stay in India.

All the best

Jorge

ranjan154 · May 29th, 2007, 09:11

You will need to confirm the dates once again.. as the mela starts on the auspicious day of Kartik purnima..And you should be there at the start of Mela, onlt first few days are fun..

tasuray · May 29th, 2007, 12:32

Bihar Tourism Development Corporation has a bunglow at Sonepur.Where people can stay and most of the rooms were vacant when I visited there.No need to come back to Patna everyday.I've visited "Hariharchatra" actual name of Sonepurmela thrice.Two retireing rooms are available in Sonepur station but one & half kms.(approx) away from mela compound.Conditions of the rooms are not good and remain vacant most of the time.Mela starts on full moon of Kartik.There is a temple of Hariharnath.But beware of hooligans.Buses ply regularly from Patna to Hajipur (fare Rs.20/-), Ramashis Chowk.From Ramasish Chowk autorickshaws ply to Sonepur mela (fare Rs.10/-).Or one can avail Delhi-Guwahati route trains and disembark at Sonepur or Hajipur station.

Feb 13th, 2007, 02:51	#17
Ambasagou November Travel Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 30	2007 Sonepur Mela and Diwali Can anyone tell me when the Sonepur Mela opens this year? We will be in India from Oct. 31 until November 24. Part of our planned trip includes traveling from Varanasi to Darjeeling. I was considering breaking that segment with a stop at the Sonepur Mela, but according to past posts it seems that unless you coincide with the opening day it may not be worth it. I also learned that we will be in India for Diwali (Nov. 9). Can someone share with me what we might expect on this holiday? Should we try to be anywhere in particular? -Shawn

Feb 13th, 2007, 09:00	#19
ranjan154 Amateur Photographer Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Noida (India) Posts: 853	yes, i agree i was also there this time as Palexurdy said, as far mela is concerned, if you want to see nearly a million cattles together you should be there and that on the first, second day of mela. That's the big attraction rest all is like any other rural fair.. check out some my photographs which i took in mela.. __________________ Rakesh Ranjan -------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/travinfoindia/

May 28th, 2007, 23:40	#20
traveler_jen Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1	sonepur mela dates and site Hi, I plan to be at the Mela this year after spending Diwali in Sikkim. According to this site the Mela doesn't start until the 24th. Hope to see you there!! http://www.indobase.com/events/detai...attle-fair.php

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Feb 13th, 2007, 07:45	#18
Palexurdy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Posts: 155	I'm sure the dates are on the web, Amba. It’s something like a month, from the third week in October. I went there a few weeks in. The fair wasn't that big; there are comparable Sunday markets near my home town. Stalls sold mostly standard stuff; clothes, trinkets & food. To the far side of the plot is a small village of mud-walled houses. Through the village & past some fields are the river ghats & a few temples. I wouldn’t advise against going there, but seeing as you'll miss the beginning, you might think about somewhere else, like Sasaram or Bodh Gaya. There are probably other interesting places along the way. Varanasi is supposed to have quite big Diwali celebrations.

May 29th, 2007, 01:18	#21
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,224	traveler_jen, Be sure about the exact date the Sonepur Mela starts, because last year in Nov 2006 I arrived on the third or fourth day and was like any other cattle fair. No interest at all!!!. and Bihar is not the best place to stay in India. All the best Jorge

May 29th, 2007, 09:11	#22
ranjan154 Amateur Photographer Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Noida (India) Posts: 853	You will need to confirm the dates once again.. as the mela starts on the auspicious day of Kartik purnima..And you should be there at the start of Mela, onlt first few days are fun..

May 29th, 2007, 12:32	#23
tasuray Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 311	Bihar Tourism Development Corporation has a bunglow at Sonepur.Where people can stay and most of the rooms were vacant when I visited there.No need to come back to Patna everyday.I've visited "Hariharchatra" actual name of Sonepurmela thrice.Two retireing rooms are available in Sonepur station but one & half kms.(approx) away from mela compound.Conditions of the rooms are not good and remain vacant most of the time.Mela starts on full moon of Kartik.There is a temple of Hariharnath.But beware of hooligans.Buses ply regularly from Patna to Hajipur (fare Rs.20/-), Ramashis Chowk.From Ramasish Chowk autorickshaws ply to Sonepur mela (fare Rs.10/-).Or one can avail Delhi-Guwahati route trains and disembark at Sonepur or Hajipur station.

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