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Restored revision 1037540886 by BD2412 (talk): Unsourced

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{{Other uses|Sonepur (disambiguation){{!}}Sonepur}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Sonpur
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = [[City]]
| image_skyline = Digha Sonpur bridge 3.png
| imagesize = 300
| image_alt =
| image_caption = [[Digha–Sonpur Bridge]]
| pushpin_map = India Bihar
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Bihar, India
| coordinates = {{coord|25.7|N|85.18|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Bihar]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Saran district|Saran]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 8.27
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 37,776<ref name="saranfull2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1017_PART_B_DCHB_SARAN.pdf|title=Page 34 and Page 312 – 159.65 sq. km = 15,965 hectares }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.citypopulation.de/php/india-bihar.php | title=INDIA: Bihar, Cities, Towns and Outgrowth Wards | publisher=citypopulation.de | access-date=21 February 2014}}</ref>
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = 4568
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| demographics_type2
= Regional Languages
| demographics2_title2 = Regional
| demographics2_info2 = [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| leader_title2 = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]]
| leader_name2 = Dr Ramanauj Prasad (R.J.D)
| leader_title3 = [[Member of Parliament]]
| leader_name3 = [[Rajiv Pratap Rudy]]
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 841101
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = +91-6158
| registration_plate = [[List of RTO districts in India#BR—Bihar|BR]]-04
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Saran (Lok Sabha constituency)|Saran]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Sonepur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sonepur]]
| blank3_name_sec1 =
| blank3_info_sec1 =
| blank4_name_sec1 = Civic agency
| blank4_info_sec1 = Sonepur Nagar Panchayat
| website =
| iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-BR]]
| footnotes =
| official_name = Sonepur
}}
'''Sonpur''' is a city and sub-division in the Indian state of Bihar, situated on the banks of the [[River Gandak]] (River Narayani) and Ganges River in the [[Saran District]]. Sonpur once famous for its longest Railway Platform, it also hosts Asia's largest [[Sonepur Cattle Fair|Cattle Fair]] which starts on [[Kartik Poornima]].<ref name="bp">{{cite web|title=World Famous Sonpur Cattle Fair to begin on November 16|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/10/world-famous-sonepur-cattle-fair-to-begin-on-november-16/|work=Biharprabha News|access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref>

==Geography==
The town is located at {{Coord|25.7|N|85.1832|E|}} at an altitude of 42 metres (137 ft).

The river [[Gandak]] must have been the route of the movement of Buddha and his followers from Nepal Tarai to Magadh that is why many of the stupas and similar structures, including Ashoka pillars, are found on the banks of the river. The location of [[Pathar ki Masjid]] just opposite the meeting point of the gandak, that is southern bank of the Ganges, shows the Muslim influence of trade and commerce in medieval times. The current township Patna is just the modern version of the makeshift headquarters of military establishments of old Patna city which in turn was later version of [[Pataliputra]], the capital of [[Maurya]] Empire.

Of the ten railway stations in the world having the longest railway platforms, Sonepur being on the 8th (and 2nd longest at the time of construction) longest platform in the world at {{convert|2415|ft|m|abbr=on}}. It is connected by two rivers, the Ganges and the Gandak.

==Transportation and Connectivity==
Sonepur is a town located in the Saran District of Bihar and is easily accessible via Railways, Roadways, Waterways.<ref name="how2reach">{{cite web|title=How to reach Sonpur Town?|url=http://www.explorebihar.in/how-to-reach-sonepur-town.html|work=Explore Bihar|access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref>

===Roadways===
Sonepur is nearly 3 km from [[Hajipur]] and 25 km from [[Patna]] and 58 km from [[Muzaffarpur]] in Bihar & 60 km from [[Chhapra]], the headquarter of Saran District. Buses, Taxis and Auto-rickshaws are easily available.

===Railways===
[[File:Sonepur station.jpeg|thumb|Sonepur station]]
The Nearest Railway Station is [[Sonpur Junction railway station|Sonepur Junction railway station]]. It has the 8th Largest Railway Platform in the World. It has trains connecting almost every part of India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sonepur mela, Bihar|url=https://www.biharsuperfastkhabar.com/2020/05/sonpur-mela-2020.html|work=sonpur mela}}</ref> It is the divisional headquarter of the [[East Central Railway]] of the [[Indian Railways]].

===Waterways===
BSTDC organizes ferries to Sonepur during the Season of [[Sonpur Cattle Fair|Sonepur Cattle Fair]].<ref name="how2reach"/>

===Airways===
Nearest Airport to Sonepur is [[Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport]] at [[Patna]], which is 25 km away.

==Real estate boom==
The real estate land prices soared in Sonepur after the start of construction of [[Digha–Sonpur rail–cum–road bridge|Digha–Sonepur rail–cum–road bridge]] in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/lack-of-infra-deters-people-from-buying-land-at-sonepur/articleshow/59133039.cms|title=Lack of infra deters people from buying land at Sonepur}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150716/jsp/bihar/story_31789.jsp#.VyiHaPl97IV|title=Realty to broaden horizon}}</ref> Real estate companies like are acquiring large chunk of land and selling it by dividing those into small plots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.bhaskar.com/news/MON-PERS-PFPR-very-good-opportunity-to-buy-the-cheapest-property-in-near-digha-sonpur-bridge-5051063.html|title=यहां मिलेगा 15 लाख रुपए में फ्लैट, गंगा किनारे लग्जुरियस लाइफ जीने का मौका}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.bhaskar.com/news/MON-PERS-PFPR-opportunity-to-earn-cheaper-property-in-emerging-realty-mkt-of-sonepur-5142831-NOR.html|title=पटना से सटे सोनपुर बना रियल एस्‍टेट का बड़ा बाजार सस्‍ती प्रॉपर्टी खरीदने का मौका}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tcwrealty.com/downloads/photoGallery/eBrochure-Patna.pdf|title=TCW Reality}}</ref>

==Cattle Fair==
{{Main|Sonepur Cattle Fair}}
[[Sonepur Cattle Fair]] is held annually in Sonepur.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/sonepur2.html|title= Destinations :: Sonepur}}</ref> The sight of numerous elephants, decorated for the purpose of sale, is an important visitor attraction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/special/the-gentle-giants-of-sonepur/20161205.htm|title=The gentle giants of Sonepur}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Sonpur Cattle Fair|url=http://www.explorebihar.in/the-sonepur-cattle-fair.html|access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref>

The Fair is held on Kartik Poornima (the full moon day) in November. It is also known as Harihar Kshetra Mela and it attracts visitors from all over Asia. Till date, it is the second largest cattle fair of India and stretches on from fifteen days to one month. It has its origins during ancient times. This is when [[Chandragupta Maurya]] (340 – 297 BCE) used to buy elephants and horses across the river Ganges. The Sonepur Cattle Fair once used to attract traders from places as distant as Central Asia. In 2001, the number of elephants brought to Sonpur Mela was 92, 354 elephants in 2004, while in 2016, 13 elephants made it to the fair,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/at-the-centuries-old-sonepur-cattle-fair-animals-are-no-longer-the-main-attraction-4205159.html|title=At the centuries-old Sonepur cattle fair, animals are no longer the main attraction}}</ref> only for display, not for sale.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/tuskers-bid-adieu-to-sonepur-mela/articleshow/61521260.cms|title=Tuskers bid adieu to Sonepur Mela}}</ref> In 2017, there were 3 tuskers at the fair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/bihar/other-cities/only-three-elephant-reached-in-sonepur-fair-till-now/articleshow/61516684.cms|title=बिहार: सोनपुर पशु मेले में अब तक सिर्फ 3 हाथी पहुंचे|access-date=6 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107020112/https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/bihar/other-cities/only-three-elephant-reached-in-sonepur-fair-till-now/articleshow/61516684.cms|archive-date=7 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sonpur Mela continues to attract foreign tourists who arrive with the motive of capturing various elements of rural settlement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Rustic-touch-of-Sonepur-Mela-attracts-foreigners/articleshow/49955254.cms|title=Rustic touch of Sonepur Mela attracts foreigners}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1151127/jsp/bihar/story_55367.jsp|title=Through foreign eyes, Sonepur fares better Visitors say state's cattle mela mirrors real India more than Pushkar fair does}}</ref> Apart from the photo opportunity, elephants continue to lure most foreign tourists. Swiss cottages are set up by [[Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation]] (BSTDC) at the Sonepur fair,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/bihar/foreign-tourists-line-up-for-sonepur-fair-swiss-cottages-182088|title=Foreign tourists line up for Sonepur fair Swiss cottages}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/deputy-cm-to-inaugurate-sonepur-fair-today/articleshow/61425827.cms|title=Deputy CM to inaugurate Sonepur fair today}}</ref> with facilities of Internet facility, motor boat ride in river Gandak, food at the tourist village and pre-paid taxis from [[Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport|Patna Airport]] to Sonpur fair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Swiss-cottages-at-Sonepur-fair-a-tourist-delight/articleshow/3748554.cms|title=Swiss cottages at Sonepur fair a tourist delight}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1130913/jsp/bihar/story_17344110.jsp|title=Swiss cottages to cost more}}</ref> Disneyland park is set up during the Sonpur Mela.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/2-days-on-govt-stalls-yet-to-open-at-sonepur-mela/articleshow/61510940.cms|title=2 days on, govt stalls yet to open at Sonepur Mela}}</ref> A 'railgram' stall is set up by Railways,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jagran.com/bihar/vaishali-if-the-sonpur-mela-are-roaming-then-definitely-see-the-rall-village-exhibition-17024974.html|title=अगर सोनपुर मेला घूम रहे हैं तो रेल ग्राम प्रदर्शनी जरूर देखें}}</ref> where toy train is also erected for children.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/agm-inaugurates-railgram-at-sonepur-fair/articleshow/61535616.cms|title=AGM inaugurates 'Railgram' at Sonepur fair}}</ref>

2017 Sonepur Harihar Kshetra Mela will commence from 2 November and finish on 3 December.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/sonepur-mela-to-be-a-32-day-affair/articleshow/60249505.cms|title=Sonepur Mela to be a 32-day affair}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/vaishali/story/1043888.html|title=इस बार 32 दिनों का होगा हरिहर क्षेत्र सोनपुर मेला}}</ref> It will be for 32 days. The fair will include events like boat racing, Dangal, water surfing, Water Bath Canning.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jagran.com/bihar/vaishali-harihar-kshetra-mela-will-for-32-days-16596083.html|title=इस बार 32 दिनों का होगा हरिहर क्षेत्र मेला}}</ref>

==Hariharnath Mandir==
Hariharnath Mandir ({{lang-hi|हरिहर नाथ मंदिर}}) in Sonepur is also known for the famous temple of shree Hariharnath and the site of the battle of Gaj-Grah and rescue of the former by Hari During Kartik Purnima Ganga Snan or ceremonial bathing in the Ganges is held by Hindus to be unusually efficacious. On the day of full moon ([[Kartik Purnima]]) immense crowd assembles and take bath. The Mela commences on that day and lasts for more than a fortnight. The Shiva temple, Kali temple and other temples and historical religious monuments are situated here and social and economical activities are at the highest peak during the Mela period. People come here to pay their oblation to the lords and thus its importance is not within Sonepur of Bihar rather it is of India and world fame.

According to Uday Pratap Singh, author of the book Baba Hariharanath, before 1757, the Hariharanath temple was composed of artistic rock clusters of timber and black stones. These pictures and praises of Hari were engraved on them. Meanwhile, this temple was reconstructed by Ram Narayan Singh, the deputy sub-ruler of [[Mir Qasim]]. He was a resident of [[Nayagaon, Bihar|Nayagaon, Saran]]. After this, in 1860, the Empress of Tekai built a hospice in the temple premises. In 1871, the remaining three oases of the temple complex were constructed by Maharana Jangbahadur of Nepal. In the [[1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake]], the temple complex, Osara and Pakora were damaged. After this Birla family rebuilt it. English writer Harry Abbott has highlighted the importance of this temple in his diary while visiting the Harihar Nath Temple. In 1871, English writer Minden Wilson described the Sonpur fair in his diary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jagran.com/bihar/patna-city-sonepur-fare-inagurated-in-bihar-britishers-once-purchased-lakhs-of-horses-from-here-18664499.html|title=बिहार में विश्‍वप्रसिद्ध सोनपुर मेले का आगाज, यहां से कभी अंग्रेजों ने खरीदे थे लाखों घोड़े}}</ref>

==Education==
Education services in Sonepur is being provided by private as well as government schools and colleges.

1.Kendriya Vidyalaya is one of the notable school and is up to the senior secondary level with Science stream.

2.Ram Sundar Das Mahila Mahavidyalay, Sonpur. SPS Seminary School is one of the famous and old school in this small town which is up to 10+2. P.R.College is one of the oldest college of sonepur, providing bachelors of degree education in Arts and Science affiliated to Jai Prakash University, Saran.

3. Other private schools like St.Joseph's Academy, Maxwell High school, Heritage Public School, Solanki Public School, JDS Public school, and DAV Academy are gaining popularity among locals.

==See also==
*[[List of villages in Sonpur tehsil]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Sonpur Block, Bihar}}
{{Saran Division}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Saran district]]

Sonpur, Bihar - Revision history

imported>Apparition11: Restored revision 1037540886 by BD2412 (talk): Unsourced