Sonepur Mela 2024: The crowd is increasing at the world famous historical Sonpur fair at the confluence of Ganga-Gandak river in Bihar. The special thing is that it kept changing from time to time. In fact, this fair is the biggest cattle fair in Asia. But, now the attraction for the tourists coming here are the programs of Nautanki companies. Devotees and tourists from India and abroad come to this fair held every year near the mythological place Harihar Nath Temple.
Saran district administration has given permission to drama companies to present programs five days after the inauguration of the fair. After getting the permission, now while the fair is expected to be more vibrant, the expectations among the traders have also increased.
Earlier, buying and selling of elephants and horses took place in the fair.
Earlier, there used to be song and music programs at night to entertain the people coming from far away places to this fair. Later it was replaced by drama. Now this fair has become known as Nautanki (theatre). The businessmen who reached the fair say that their shops run only because of the gimmick. When elephants and horses were bought and sold in the fair, people used to come to the fair to see the elephants and horses. Now, this tradition is merely carried on.
Crowd gathers to watch the drama
Even this year, not a single elephant has arrived yet, but some horses have been brought. It was told that this year six theater companies have been given licenses by the district administration. People from Patna also come here to see the drama. When crowds of people come, the sales of fair shops increase. People say that the fair gets crowded even at night.
