Sonepur is a city at district Saran of the Indian state Bihar.It has total land area of 8.27km sq. The city is situated on the banks of river Gandak (Narayani) and Ganga. It also holds Asia’s largest Cattle fair or Harihar Kshetra Mela, which starts at Kartik Poornima (Full Moon Day) and lasts for about 15 days to 1 month. Chandra Gupta Maurya (the first king of India) has started this fair to buy elephants and horses from the all over the world. For the tourists,Swiss Chalet houses are built on the banks of river Gandak by Bihar government with the all the facilities of food, cleaning, internet and motor boat ride to the fair etc. The buses, taxi and pre-booked cabs are readily available from cottages to the fair. The events in the fair includes boat racing, dangal, water surfing, water bath canning. Immense crowd gathers at Baba Harihar Nath Mandir to take ceremonial bathing at the banks of river Ganga to suppurate their guilt. The best time to explore the city is from January to March. Sonepur sub – division are as follows –
Sonpur
Parsa
Garkha
Dariapur
Dighwara
Tourist Attractions –
Gandhi Setu ( India’s longest bridge over a river)
Baba Harihar Nath Mandir
Konhara Ghat ( Beach with hindu significance)
Kaali Ghat
Lal Keshvar Shiv Temple
How to reach?
Road –
Sonepur is almost securable with other major parts of the state like Patna, Muzaffarpur and Chhapra by buses, taxis and auto – rickshawa. The direct bus to the city is very rare. You have to go by links.
Railways –
Sonepur Railway Junction is the 8th largest railway in the world. The trains connect the city with almost every part of India like New Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Bangalore etc.
Airways –
The nearest airport from the place is jay Prakash Lok Narayan International Airport in Patna. The airport is around 25kms away from the main city area and to and fro movement cabs, buses and taxis are available.