Sonepur Fair - India.
Sonepur :
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Sonpur Mela (fair), also known as Harihar Kshetra Mela, is held in Sonpur, Bihar. The city with historical importance is situated on the confluence of the Ganges and Gandak rivers where ancient Kings and Nawabs used to camp. Fair is held on Purnima (full moon) of Kartik month. The fair is usually held for 15 to 30 days.
The biggest cattle fair of Asia has the trading facility. In trading, there are many animals traded including buffaloes, rabbits, ponies, Persian horses, donkeys, dogs, goats and camels. Mainly the elephants are traded here. Before prohibiting elephants in fair, in 2001, around 93 thousands elephants were brought here for trading. Since 2004 elephants are prohibited. In 2016, there were only 13 elephants and just for display. You will get to see othe kind of of shops also like jewelry, toys and furniture.
History :
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When the great sages Agasthya and Dewala muni cursed King Indrayamuna and Gandharva chief Huhu they became elephant and crocodile respectively. One day elephant's leg was caught by the crocodile and for this reason they fought for years from Nepal to Harihar Nath temple, Sonepur. It is believed that Harihar Nath temple was built by Lord Rama. When they reached near this temple, the elephant was weakened and took lotus flower in his trunk to pray Lord Vishnu (Hari) to save him. To save him, Lord Vishnu threw his chakra (wheel in his finger) at crocodile but with the touch of chakra Huhu got released from his curse. Later, Lord Vishnu released King Indrayamuna from curse.
The fair used to held in Hijapur but under the rule of Mughal Emperor, Aurangazeb, it got shifted near Harihar Nath temple, Sonepur.
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