Hariharnath Temple,Sonepur
HAJIPUR(patna): To attract more and more tourists mostly from abroad, the world famous cattle fair at Sonepur in Saran district of Bihar would now be organised by the state tourism department. Till last year, it was organised by the district level fair committee.
To give it an international flavour, there would be a separate enclosures for animal market, a separate enclosure for local entertainment
and classical dances. Bihar's tourism minister Sunil K Pintu said that
the government is in search of a consultant of a repute for designing
the month-long fair in a more attractive manner.
From now onwards, there would be no vulgar dances at theatres in the mela. Instead, the government has decided to invite regional folk artists from states like UP, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal to perform at the mela. "We are also looking for an event manager to organise a variety of programme in the sprawling mela ground', said an official.
The sprawling mela ground here with the pulsating market has the widest possible range of cattle and commodities. The array of shops sells all sorts of merchandise.
The fair is visited by lakhs of people, and the congregation is the largest on the Kartik Purnima day (October-November) when the festival opens. A bath in the Ganga and 'puja' at the nearby Hariharnath Mandir on the day is considered auspicious.
The extensive mango groves that grow in these neighbouring villages provide the setting for the ""canvas town"" erected annually for the mela. The local officials live at the tents which are sent beforehand, with furniture, servants, and all the requirements they need for nearly a month.
Every type of big or small birds, animals are available for sale during the mela. Bullocks, cows, goats, sheep and other domesticated animals make this area the focal point for buyers from across Bihar.
Another major attraction is swiss cottage which mainly attracts foreigners. Swiss cottages would now be set up by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) at the Sonepur fair in a more facilities to offer.
Having been set near the fair ground, the Swiss cottage, numbering about 30, is a tourist delight with specially erected thatched rooms having all the facilities and comforts of any good hotel, including uninterrupted power supply and well equipped bathrooms fitted with geysers.
The walls of these huts are being decorated with Madhubani paintings. Traditional water pitchers designed with painting would be placed at the entry gate of each cottage.
To provide additional facilities, the BSTDC would be providing free yoga classes and elephant ride for those booking cottages. Internet kiosks would also be provided to the tourists and food of choice is available in the restaurant.
Some of the well-known faces from India and abroad , including photographer Raghu Rai, documentary maker Suresh Kohli and noted Bhopuri singer and actor Manoj Tiwari too, have stayed in the cottage on previous occasion.
From now onwards, there would be no vulgar dances at theatres in the mela. Instead, the government has decided to invite regional folk artists from states like UP, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal to perform at the mela. "We are also looking for an event manager to organise a variety of programme in the sprawling mela ground', said an official.
The sprawling mela ground here with the pulsating market has the widest possible range of cattle and commodities. The array of shops sells all sorts of merchandise.
The fair is visited by lakhs of people, and the congregation is the largest on the Kartik Purnima day (October-November) when the festival opens. A bath in the Ganga and 'puja' at the nearby Hariharnath Mandir on the day is considered auspicious.
The extensive mango groves that grow in these neighbouring villages provide the setting for the ""canvas town"" erected annually for the mela. The local officials live at the tents which are sent beforehand, with furniture, servants, and all the requirements they need for nearly a month.
Every type of big or small birds, animals are available for sale during the mela. Bullocks, cows, goats, sheep and other domesticated animals make this area the focal point for buyers from across Bihar.
Another major attraction is swiss cottage which mainly attracts foreigners. Swiss cottages would now be set up by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) at the Sonepur fair in a more facilities to offer.
Having been set near the fair ground, the Swiss cottage, numbering about 30, is a tourist delight with specially erected thatched rooms having all the facilities and comforts of any good hotel, including uninterrupted power supply and well equipped bathrooms fitted with geysers.
The walls of these huts are being decorated with Madhubani paintings. Traditional water pitchers designed with painting would be placed at the entry gate of each cottage.
To provide additional facilities, the BSTDC would be providing free yoga classes and elephant ride for those booking cottages. Internet kiosks would also be provided to the tourists and food of choice is available in the restaurant.
Some of the well-known faces from India and abroad , including photographer Raghu Rai, documentary maker Suresh Kohli and noted Bhopuri singer and actor Manoj Tiwari too, have stayed in the cottage on previous occasion.
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