Sonepur
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
Sonepur mela
As of 2025: The caste equations
Sidhartha, Nov 5, 2025: The Times of India
Sonepur : Contractors are racing against time to be ready for the annual animal fair which kicks off after Kartik Purnima. Until a few days ago, at the mela ground bamboo frames were being put in place for erecting tents for Sonepur Mela.
Typically, it coincides with Kartik Purnima (on Nov 5), when thousands descend into River Ganga for a holy dip, but this year the month-long fair starts from Nov 9 due to assembly elections.
In a constituency where Yadavs and Rajputs hold sway, it is once again a contest between RJD’s Ramanuj Prasad and BJP’s Vinay Kumar Singh. Singh lost to Ramanuj Prasad in past two elections. This time, Chandan Lal Mehta from Jan Suraaj Party is also in the fray, although the contest is likely between candidates from the two major alliances. The battle is largely on caste lines, and hinges on how many voters from other communities can be won over.
At the mela ground, the buzz centered on the annual fair that generates business for locals. “Unseasonal rains (due to cyclone Montha) have added to the problem and work has stopped,” said Vinay Singh, while keeping a watch on the space for the tent for a theatre near the mela ground. For years, artists from Patna and Kolkata have been performing at the theatre.
Gulshan Singh, who is putting up a replica of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, along with other pilgrimage places, flicks through photographs of the projects as he sits on his bike near the site for ‘Disneyland’ near the mela ground.
The ‘snan’ (bathing) near Harihar temple will see lakhs of devotees come to this town which is now less than an hour’s drive from Patna. Over the years, the cattle fair has, however, lost its sheen. “The mela extended across the town and lakhs would come here to buy cattle,” said a sweet shop owner in the local market.
While animal welfare norms took a toll on participation of elephants, crackdown on cow slaughter in UP as well as govt regulations have resulted in horses and goats being the main draw.
Although cattle is sold in local weekly markets in many parts of the state, locals rue impact of the restrictions in Sonepur. “There is little demand for bulls as people are buying tractors,” said contractor Ashok Singh, sitting under a makeshift tent. He added that Bihar govt agencies have been slow to issue tenders to set up stalls, probably due to elections.
There will be some sale of birds and dogs, although illegal, added his cousin, an HR executive with a food delivery platform visiting his hometown for ‘Chhath Puja’ and voting on Nov 6 in the constituency. The annual fair still provides a boost to local economy.
Ashok’s clients now include FMCG & financial services companies which set up stalls to push their products to visitors who attend the fair. “The numbers are still large as there is a huge demand for utensils and other household products, and visitors often come more than once,” he added.
