ETW STAFF – New Delhi
Bihar Tourism has announced the beginning of the Asia’s largest cattle fair, Sonepur Mela from November 26 to December 27, 2012. The Sonepur Cattle Fair or Sonepur Mela is being held on Kartik Poornima (the full moonday) on the confluence of river Ganges and ‘Gandak’. It is also known as Harihar Kshetra Mela and it attracts visitors from all over India. It is estimated to be visited by more than 3-5 million people.
Sonepur Mela has its origins during ancient times when Chandragupta Maurya used to buy elephants and horses across the river Ganges. With a view to enhance and revive its importance and traditional values, Bihar Tourism has been assigned the responsibility this year for the first time to revive the charisma of the Sonepur Mela. Bihar Tourism is all set to make Sonepur Mela a huge success by giving a complete new look, keeping in mind the important primeval elements of the cattle fair.
