Sonepur, a small town of Bihar, is famous for its fair popularly called Sonepur Mela. Sonepur Mela is known for its cattle fair (especially elephant) and sometimes it is also called as Sonepur cattle fair.  Sonepur cattle fair is Asia’s one of the biggest cattle fairs. The town of Sonepur, situated at just 22 km of Patna -capital city of Bihar, hosts this fair every year in the month of November.
Sonepur fair has historical importance as it was visited by royal Rajas and Nawabs in the past. They used to camp there during the fair. Sonepur fair holds religious significance as it was held on the full moon day of Kartik month (November) which is considered to be the most sacred month of Hindu calendar. Sonepur is located at the meeting point of two holy rivers namely Ganga and Gandak. People visiting Sonepur fair are seen taking bath in this holy confluence point of two rivers and seeking bless in Hariharnath Mandir located there.
A Sonepur fair is an event and a place where thousands of cattle are sold and bought. The cattle particularly include elephant, horse, camel etc. the fair is held on large ground and is visited by lakhs of people throughout the country and from abroad as well. The fair is not just confined to cattle fair, it is also an event when numerous cultural and entertaining programs like dance, music, folk arts etc are performed.