November 2026
Pushkar, Rajasthan
Pushkar Camel Fair
Luxury tents a short walk from the fairground and the ghats.
Dates November 2026
Details
Sonepur, Bihar
Sonepur Cattle Fair
Asia's largest cattle fair, on the confluence of the Ganga and the Gandak, and the only one of its kind where elephants are sold.
The festival
Harihar Kshetra Mela
The Sonepur Cattle Fair is held on Kartik Poornima in the month of November in Sonepur, Bihar, on the confluence of river Ganges and Gandak. It is also known as Harihar Kshetra Mela and it attracts visitors from all over Asia. Till date, it is the biggest cattle fair of Asia and stretches on from fifteen days to one month. It has its origins during ancient times. This is when Chandragupta Maurya 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.
Sonepur Mela, the famed cattle fair is held at Sonepur, in Northern Bihar on the banks of the River Ganga. It is one of Asia's largest cattle fairs. The full moon day of the month of Kartik (November) is regarded as one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus.
Sonepur situated on the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga and Gandak, has the reverence of a blessed ground and lasts for a fortnight.
Rajahs, Nawabs and a blessed ground
In ancient times the Royal Rajahs and Nawabs used to camp here. The Sonepur Fair has unique and historical importance.
A bath at the confluence and a visit to the Hariharnath temple here is the aim for thousands of devotees on the Kartika Purnima day.
The mela ground
The sprawling mela ground here with the pulsating market has the widest possible range of cattle and commodities. The array of shops sells all sorts of merchandise. Sonepur Fair is the only one of its kind where a large number of elephants are sold.
These are purchased mainly by forest departments and people involved with logging operations. Apart from elephants, a large number of cattle and horses are also brought to the fair for sale. Various folk shows, games and jugglers can be seen in the fair.
Where you stay
The camp, not the nearest hotel
We build a camp on the ground for the length of the fair and take it away again afterwards. Everything in it is trucked in and installed for that window.
Swiss tents with attached washrooms
Proper beds, solid flooring, running hot water and a sit-out. Not a sleeping bag on the ground.
Power, water and drainage
Installed for the event and maintained through it, including lighting across the site after dark.
Dining and housekeeping
A kitchen and dining tent on site, and the tents serviced daily while you are out at the fair.
Our own crew on the ground
The people who built the camp are the people running it. Nothing is subcontracted to a local agent.
Practicalities
Getting to Sonepur
- Patna is the nearest city and airport, across the river from the mela ground.
- Sonpur has its own junction station, and Hajipur and Patna are both close by rail.
- The fair runs for a fortnight or more, so the crowd varies enormously by day. Kartik Purnima itself is the busiest by a wide margin.
Gallery
Sonepur Cattle Fair, in pictures
Photographs: Abkhanal (CC BY 3.0), Chandan Singh from India (CC BY 2.0), Abhishek62037 (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
Also this season
Other fairs and festivals
November 2026
January – February 2027
Nagaur, Rajasthan
Nagaur Cattle Fair
The second-largest cattle fair in India, and far quieter than Pushkar.
Dates January – February 2027
Details
February 2027
National Chambal Sanctuary
International Bird Festival
Riverside camp on the Chambal, gharial and skimmer country.
Dates February 2027
DetailsQuestions
Sonepur Cattle Fair, answered
Not covered here? Call reservations or send an enquiry — someone who has actually been there will answer.
How long does the fair last?
From about a fortnight to a month, beginning on Kartik Poornima in November. The full moon day itself is the religious centre of it and by far the busiest.
Are elephants really sold there?
Sonepur is the only fair of its kind where a large number of elephants change hands, bought mainly by forest departments and by people working in logging. Cattle and horses are traded in far greater numbers.
What else is there besides livestock?
A very large general market, folk shows, games and jugglers — and for most of the people who come, a bath at the confluence and a visit to the Hariharnath temple.
Where is Sonepur?
In northern Bihar, on the confluence of the Ganga and the Gandak, across the river from Patna.
How far in advance should I book?
Earlier than feels necessary. These camps run for a handful of days a year, the dates do not move, and the tent count is fixed by what we can physically install. For the better-known fairs the good dates go a season ahead.
What is included in the tariff?
Accommodation in a furnished Swiss tent with an attached washroom, meals at the camp, housekeeping and on-site assistance. Travel to the festival, entry to ticketed events and anything personal sits outside it. We confirm the exact inclusions in writing with the quote.
Can you arrange transfers?
Yes. Tell us where you are arriving from and we will quote the transfer with the tent. For the remoter camps this is worth arranging in advance rather than on the day.
Is the camp suitable for families?
Yes. Tents can be set up for families, and the camp is staffed and lit through the night. Tell us the ages when you enquire and we will put you somewhere sensible on the site.
What does it cost?
It depends on the festival, the dates within it, the tent category and how many nights you want. There is no single rate across the seven. Send us the festival and your dates and we will send a written quote.
Camping at the Sonepur mela
Tell us which days you want — the fair runs for weeks and the days are not alike.