Module 5: Historic Fairs and Pilgrimage Gatherings of Bihar
Concept
Subtopic 5.1: Sonepur, Saurath and Vaishali
- The Harihar Kshetra Mela, or Sonepur Mela, begins each year on Kartik Purnima at Sonepur in Saran. It meets at the confluence of the Ganga and the Gandak. It is known as the largest cattle and animal fair in India and Asia. Trade in elephants, horses and livestock here is very old. The fair is also tied to the Hariharnath temple, where Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped together.
- The Saurath Sabha Mela is a marriage assembly at Saurath village near Madhubani, in Mithilanchal. It meets towards the end of Ashadha. Maithil Brahmins bring genealogies kept by Panjikars, the traditional registrars, and settle marriages by ancestral lineage.
- The Vaishali Mela is held each year on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi at ancient Vaishali, the birthplace of the 24th Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira. It is a major pilgrimage for Jain devotees from across India.
⭐ Key Points
- Saurath Sabha Mela is held in Mithilanchal, near Madhubani, at the end of Ashadha, to arrange traditional marriages.
- The Vaishali Mela is kept by Jain devotees to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira in his birthplace, Vaishali.
- Sonepur Mela, India's largest animal fair, is held at the confluence of the Ganga and the Gandak in Saran district.
📌 One-line Q&A
- Question: Where is the Saurath Sabha Mela organised? Answer: Mithilanchal.
- Question: The Vaishali Mela, organised on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi, is related to: Answer: Jain followers.
- Question: The Harihar Kshetra Mela, or Sonepur Mela, is organised at: Answer: Confluence of Ganga and Gandak.
Topic
MCQs
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Question 17: Where is the Saurath Sabha Mela organised?
Saurath Sabha Mela is held in Mithilanchal, near Madhubani, at the end of Ashadha, to arrange traditional marriages.
Question 18: The Vaishali Mela, organised on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi, is related to:
The Vaishali Mela is kept by Jain devotees to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira in his birthplace, Vaishali.
Question 19: The Harihar Kshetra Mela, or Sonepur Mela, is organised at:
Sonepur Mela, India's largest animal fair, is held at the confluence of the Ganga and the Gandak in Saran district.
Question 1 of 3
One-liners
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Where is the Saurath Sabha Mela organised?
Mithilanchal.The Vaishali Mela, organised on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi, is related to:
Jain followers.The Harihar Kshetra Mela, or Sonepur Mela, is organised at:
Confluence of Ganga and Gandak.
Question 1 of 3