Sonpur Village, Saran

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This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS.

Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.

Sonpur Village

Village in the head-quarters subdivision of Saran District, Bengal, situated in 25° 42' N. and 85° 12' E., on the right bank of the Gandak, close to its confluence with the Ganges. Popula- tion (1901), 3,355. It is an important station on the Bengal and North-Western Railway, which crosses the Gandak by a fine bridge connecting Sonpur with Hajipur on the left bank. There are railway workshops which employ some 1,000 hands. The Sonpur fair, or Harihar Chattar viela, is held at the confluence of the Gandak and Ganges at the November full moon, and is probably one of the oldest fairs in India. It was at Sonpur that Vishnu is reputed to have rescued the elephant from the jaws of the crocodile ; and it was here that Rama, when on his way to Janakpur to win Slta, built a temple to Harihar Nath Mahadeo, which is still largely frequented by pilgrims. The fair lasts for a fortnight, but is at its height for two days before and after the full moon, when Hindus bathe in the Ganges and thus acquire exceptional merit. Immense numbers assemble, and goods and animals, especially elephants, horses, and cattle, are exposed for sale. A cattle show is held at the fair, which is the largest elephant market in India. In days gone by the Sonpur race meeting was one of the most famous on this side of India, but many causes have combined to rob the meeting of its former glories. It is still, however, one of the pleasantest picnic gatherings in India for Europeans, who meet in camp under the shade of a magnificent mango grove and amuse themselves with races, dances, polo, tennis, and visits to the fair, which presents Indian life under many interesting aspects.