Patna: The monthlong Harihar Kshetra Sonepur Mela 2024 was jointly inaugurated by deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, tourism minister Nitish Mishra, revenue and land reforms minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, and science and technology minister Sumit Kumar Singh on Wednesday evening in presence of Saran district magistrate Aman Samir. The fair will conclude on December 14.
Choudhary said the state govt will build Baba Harihar Kshetra corridor in Sonepur. “There is also a strong possibility of bringing industries here. The govt plans to establish a grand city on 10,000 acres of land here. A total of Rs 20,000 crore is being invested by the govt in this area. Work is underway for the construction of a bridge parallel to JP Setu and Sherpur-Dighwara Bridge.”
Sinha said they have also decided to start a three-day festival to showcase the heritage of Baba Hariharnath Mandir in Sonepur. “This apart, the development of the birthplace of Ma Janki in Sitamarhi is the govt’s priority.”
The state tourism department has developed a cultural pavilion, and an art and craft village at the mela site, spread over around 3km. Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation has also constructed temporary Swiss cottages, equipped with modern facilities, in the art and craft village for the visitors. Special tour packages have been made available for travelling from Patna to Sonepur.
On of the major attractions of this mela, considered largest cattle fair of Asia, are horses. This year, the most expensive horse, priced at Rs 11 lakh, has been brought from Rajasthanat. Another main attraction will be don-turned-politician Anant Singh’s horse, Bullet Raja, which is fed milk and dry fruits.