Bihar Sonepur mela:The world famous Harihar Kshetra mela to begin on 27th. November 2012

SONEPUR: The world famous Harihar Kshetra mela, popularly known as Sonepur mela, is all set to begin here on 27 November 2012, that the day falls on the eve of "Kartik Purnima" which is considered inauspicious in Hindu mythology with regard to beginning of any new work.

The Sonepur mela is held here on a sprawling 200 acres of land. The mela will continue for 25 days. As per the tradition, lakhs of people assemble at different ghats of Harihar Kshetra at Hajipur and Sonepur on the eve of "Kartik Purnima" and take holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, the Gandak and the Mehi rivers. The devotees offer "Gangajal" to the Hariharnath temple and this ritual marks the beginning of the Sonepur mela.

The Sonepur mela has a profound historic grandeur. According to the travelogue of a British administrative officer, W W Hynter, in 1919, the Sonepur mela used to be held in over 43 villages in the past.

According to sources, the mela venue in the past also used to serve as a prime place for freedom movement. In fact, the fair was for the first time held on the Hajipur side around the 16th century. Later, the mela was shifted to the Sonepur side at the initiative of the then British officials to suppress the freedom movement.

The temple of Harihar Nath is believed to have been originally built by Lord Rama, on his way to the court of King Janak to win the hand of Mata Sita. Raja Man Singh got the temple repaired later. The Harihar Nath temple, as it stands today, was built by Raja Ram Narain, an influential person during the late Mughal period. According to a legend King Indrayamuna and the Gandharva chief Huhu, who were turned into an elephant and a crocodile respectively by the curse of great sages Agasthya and Dewala Muni.

One day the elephant's leg was caught by the crocodile. Ultimately the King Elephant weakened and prayed to the supreme god Vishnu to save him. Vishnu heard his prayer and cut down the crocodile with his Chakra. Both of them were released from their curse.

Harihar Kshetra Mela, popularly known as Sonepur Mela, is held on Kartik Poornima (the full moon day) in the month of November on the confluence of river Ganges and Gandak. Till date, it is the biggest cattle fair of Asia and stretches on from fifteen days to one month. Many people who visit the Cattle fair also visit this temple and take a holy dip at the convergence.