World's largest animal fair in Bihar, India.

Sonepur fair in Bihar, India, has its origins during ancient time. This is where Chandragupta Maurya used to buy elephants and horses across the river Ganges from Patilaputra, now Patna. Now Sonepur mela(fair) is one of the biggest and the world's greatest fair. It takes place anually, 35 kilometres from Patna, the capital of Bihar. Sonepur mela(fair) is held for 21 days in the month of November (from around 5th-6th) at the junction of the rivers, Ganga and Gandak.

It even has a legendary tale attached to it. Many believe that a struggle took place at this spot in Sonepur between the ruler of Gandharva, Huhu and Indraya Muni; ultimately Lord Vishnu helping the weaker latter. That is why there is a vast gathering of devotees gathered at the confluence for the two holy rivers for the blessed dip at the adjacent "Harihar Nath Temple" on the full moon day (Kartik Purnima). Many believe that Lord Rama established the temple on his way to Lanka ( Sri Lanka).

The locals regard that a dip here at this confluence of the two rivers is equivalent to giving away of 100 cows. However, it now attracts people from all geographical and religious diversity from the Punjab and Kashmir to Bhutan and Kerala. During the British rule, merchants from Afghanistan and Britain used to attend this fair. Sonepur mela(fair) is Asia's and probably one of the world's largest cattle fair. No other mela(fair) in Bihar can boast about the crowds it attracts whether it's Diwali, Chhath, Sivaratri, Ramnavami, Kartik Purnima, Janmashtami , Holi or Durga puja (festivals of India).