Sonepur Mela
Asia's largest cattle fair
Significance
Coincides with Kartik Purnima. Once the largest trading event in Asia, drawing traders from as far as Central Asia. Today, an endangered cultural treasure.
A month-long fair at the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak, where traders have gathered since Chandragupta Maurya's era. Elephants, horses, cattle, birds, and the endangered Nautanki folk theatre all in one place.
First-time visitor
Visit on the opening week — livestock presence peaks then, and the Nautanki troupes arrive first.
What to see
- Opening holy dip at the confluence
- Elephant bath in the Gandak
- Nautanki folk theatre evenings
Festival foods
Best for
Travel tips
- 1Stay at the Bihar Tourism Swiss Cottages — the only clean option
- 2Elephant trading is restricted — don't expect the numbers of old
- 3Patna is the nearest airport (~25 km)
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Questions & Answers
About Sonepur Mela
Sonepur Mela 2026 is scheduled for 24 Nov – 24 Dec 2026. That's 163 days from today.
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