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Sonepur on Google Maps.
Sonepur, is located in the center of the area bounded by three major rivers (Ganges, Gandak and Ghagra), in the Indian state of Bihar. The Sonepur Mela (Fair), was founded in 340 BC, when Emperor Chandragupta Maurya bought elephants and horses along the rivers and even today, in the Hindu month of Karmik Urmina (November), takes place along the banks of the river Gangak, the most important market of animals of India. The event, which sometimes lasts even a month, is held in conjunction with the peregrination of thousands of people to Harihar Nath temple. At the market, you can sell and buy all kinds of animal, from elephants to buffalo, from birds to monkeys but the epicenter of the event, is the visit to the temple Harihar Nath. Offers and ablutions in the Gandak river, are part of the rituals creating among pilgrims, sellers and buyers a huge camp where people and animals live together for the duration of the fair.
Useful links for more informations:
www.bihartourism.gov.in
www.bihar-tourism.com
www.india.gov.in
www.airindia.in
www.indiatourismmilan.com
www.swagatam.com