Bihar has a very long and famous history that placed Bihar at the very epicenter of India's struggle for Independence. It is a region that is rich in history, deep in tradition and culture and has a great potential. Bihar in the ancient times is known in the classical literature as Magadha.

Bihar's antiquity is evident from its name, which is derived from the ancient word "VIHARA" (monastery). It is indeed a land of monasteries. Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim and Sikh shrines abound in this ancient land where India's first major empires rose and fell. Where the ruins of the worlds' earliest university slumbers in the void of time. The passage of Ganga, flowing wide and deep enrich the plains of Bihar before distributing in Bengal's deltoid zone.

Among all Indian states, Bihar is the one most intimately linked to the Buddha's life, resulting in a trail of pilgrimages which have come to be known as the Buddhist circuit. The Buddhist trail begins at the capital city, Patna, where a noteworthy museum contains a collection of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures as well as a terracotta urn said to contain the ashes of Lord Buddha.

The Khuda Baksh Oriental Library has rare Muslim manuscripts including some from the University of Cordoba in Spain. 40 km away, Vaishali, was the site for the second Buddhist Council is the presence of ruins testify. 90 km south of Patna is Nalanda which translates as the place that confers the lotus' (of spiritual knowledge). A monastic university flourished here from the 5th to the 11th century. It is said to have contained nine million books, with 2,000 teachers to impart knowledge to 10,000 students who came from all over the Buddhist world. Lord Buddha himself taught here and Hieun Tsang, the 7th century Chinese traveler, was a student. Ongoing excavations have uncovered temples, monasteries and lecture halls. Rajgir, ‘the royal palace', 12 km south, was the venue for the first Buddhist Council.

The Buddha spent five years at Rajgir after having attained enlightenment, and many of the remains at Rajgir commemorate various incidents related to life of Buddha, the hill of Gridhrakuta being perhaps the most important, as this is where the Buddha delivered most of his sermons. Bodhgaya is the spot where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, with the Mahabodhi Temple marking the precise location.

This landlocked state of Bihar is surrounded by Nepal, Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and comprises four cultural regions-Bhojpur, Mithila and Magadha and Chotanagpur. Rivers Kosi and Gandak from the north and Sone from the south join the Ganga. In the fertile plains, rice, sugarcane, oilseeds, gram, maize, jute, barley and wheat are cultivated.

A traditional Fair that has remained pristine in its charm through the ages it is also the largest cattle fair in Asia.

Legend has it that two brothers, devotees of Lord Vishnu, one wily and the other honest, cast a spell upon each other making one an elephant and the other a crocodile. On a Kartik Purnima day, the honest elephant went to the confluence of the holy river Ganga and Gandak to bathe and was attacked by the wily crocodile. Lord Vishnu himself intervened and helped the good triumph over the evil. With Lord Vishnu's help the elephant prevailed upon the Crocodile.

Boats at the river banks, a large no. of elephants, camels, horses, cows, buffaloes, oxen, goats, dogs, cats & birds for sale, loosely robed sadhus (holy men), freshly washed animals, shops on the pavements overflowing with goods, swirling crowds in colourful dresses and joyful moods, curious onlookers-such are the scenes that dominate this wonderful fair.

A unique Fair in which imposing Indian elephants are the prime attraction. The central draw of the fair is cattle trade. All species of birds, poultry, bovines and beasts of burden specially elephants, have a market here.

The post-harvest season for paddy crops coincides with this fair. Sales are brisk in food grains, readymade garments, agricultural implements, weapons, furniture, perfumes, costume jewellery, handcrafted folk toys and utensils in wood, copper, brass and steel.

The fair entertains visitors with 'nautanki'- a typical traditional musical drama performance. Other attractions are the circus, magic shows, fortune-telling parrots, and pedlers of fancy goods.

The Sonepur Mela is indeed A Fair to Remember, year after year.

Fair Duration: A fortnight following the first full moon day in the Hindu month of Kartik Shukla Paksh (Kartik Purnima), which occurs in the period October/ November. Precise duration to be checked up every January.

How to reach: Sonepur is 25 kms across the river Ganga from Patna, the capital city of Bihar, which receives direct daily flights from Delhi and Calcutta, and is a major railway junction also linked by road to important towns on the Calcutta-Delhi route.

Where to stay: Fully furnished Swiss-type Cottages (with attached western toilets) in the Tourist village set up at the Sonepur Fair grounds, supported by catering and security facilities, and offering complimentary elephant ride.

For detailed information, accommodation and transport bookings please contact:

Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) Tourist Bhawan, Beer Chand Patel Path, Patna-800 001 Tel: 0612-2225411, 2210219. Fax: 0612-2236218

1. State-wise Area, Population and Density of Population of India (Census 1991).
2. State-wise (0~6) age group and (7+) age group Population of India (Census 1991).
3. District-wise Area, Population, Density and Rural Urban Ratio of Bihar (Census 1991).
4. District-wise (0~6) age group and (7+) age group Population of Bihar (Census 1991).
5. District-wise Total Population, (0~6) and (7+) age group Population of Bihar (Census 2001, Provisional).
6. District-wise Population, their percentage and Females per thousand Males (Census 1991).
7. District-wise Population, Density and Sex-Ratio of Bihar, according to 2001 Census (Provisional).
8. District-wise percentage Decadal Variation in Population since 1901 to 2001.
9. District-wise mid-year Population of Bihar.
10. Trend and Sex-wise percentage variation of Population in Bihar from 1901 to 1991.
11. Distribution of Population by Age-Group and Sex, 1991 Census (India).
12. Distribution of Population by Age-Group and Sex, in re-organised Bihar, (Census 1991).
13. State/UT-wise Classification of Working Population in India -1991 Census (Column i ~ v).
14. State/UT-wise Classification of Working Population in India -1991 Census (Column vi ~ ix).
15. District-wise Classification of Working Population in Bihar - 1991 Census (Column i ~ v).
16. District-wise Classification of Working Population in Bihar - 1991 Census (Column vi ~ ix).
17. District-wise Number of Workers under different Economic Classification - 1981 (Census 1991).
18. Percentage distribution of Workers in Bihar, (Census 1991).
19. Projected Population of Bihar by age and sex on 1st July, 1996 to 2016.
20. Birth-rates, Death-rates, Exponential Growth-rates (Bihar and All India).
21. State/UT-wise Number of Towns in India, (Census 1991).
22. District-wise Number of Towns in Bihar, (Census 1991).
23. District-wise Number of Blocks, Villages and Police Stations in Bihar, (Census 1991).
24. District-wise Population of SC, ST and their percentage to Total population in Bihar (1991 Census).
25. State/UT-wise Number of Literates and Literacy per Thousand in India, (Census 1991).
26. District-wise Number of Literates and Literacy rate in Bihar, (Census 1991).
27. District-wise Number of Literates and Literacy rate in Bihar, according to 2001 Census (Provisional).
28. District-wise Number of Occupied Residential Houses and Households in re-organised Bihar, (Census 1991).
29. Net National Product at Factor Cost (India).
30. Net Domestic Product by Economic Activity (All India) (At Current Prices).
31. Net Domestic Product by Economic Activity (All India) (At 1993-94 Prices).
32. Net State Domestic Product at Factor Cost by Industry of Origin at Current Prices.
33. Net State Domestic Product at Factor Cost by Industry of Origin at Constant (1993-94) Prices.
34. Pattern of Land Utilization, India.
35. Classification of Land in re-organised Bihar.
36. District-wise Classification of Land in re-organised Bihar. (Column 01 to 13)
37. District-wise Classification of Land in re-organised Bihar. (Column 14 to 25)
38. District-wise Classification of Land in re-organised Bihar. (Column 26 to 35)
39. Number and Area of Operational Holding by size Class, 1990-91.
40. Area and Production of Principal Crops in India.
41. Area under Principal Crops in re-organised Bihar.
42. District-wise Area under Cereals in re-organised Bihar.
43. District-wise Area under Pulses in re-organised Bihar.
44. District-wise Area under Pulses in re-organised Bihar during the year 1999-2000.
45. District-wise Area under Cash Crops in re-organised Bihar.
46. District-wise Area under Cash Crops in re-organised Bihar during the year 1999-2000.
47. Out-turn of Major Crops in re-organised Bihar.
48. District-wise Production of Cereals in re-organised Bihar.
49. District-wise Production of Pulses in re-organised Bihar.
50. District-wise Production of Pulses in re-organised Bihar During the year 1999-2000.
51. District-wise Production of Cash Crops in re-organised Bihar.
52. District-wise Production in Cash Crops in re-organised Bihar During the year 1999-2000.
53. Average Yield of Principal Crops in India.
54. Average Yield of Principal Crops in re-organised Bihar.
55. Index Number of Area under Crops in India (Base-Trienium ending - 1981-82 = 100).
56. Index No. of Area Under Crops in Bihar (Base Year - Triennium ending 1981-82).
57. Index Number of Agriculture Production in India (Base-Trienium ending - 1981-82 = 100).
58. Index No. of Agricultural Production in Bihar (Base Year - Triennium ending 1981-82).
59. Index Number of Agricultural Yield in India (Base-Trienium ending - 1981-82 = 100).
60. Index No. of Agricultural Productivity in Bihar (Base Year - Triennium ending 1981-82).
61. Number and Area of Operational Holdings, wholly and Partly Irrigated (By Sizes) and their respective percentage in undivided Bihar, 1990-91.
62. Gross Area under Irrigation by Crops in India.
63. Gross Area under Irrigation by Crops in Bihar.
64. District-wise Gross Area Irrigated by different Sources in Bihar.
65. District-wise Net Area Irrigated by different Sources in Bihar.
66. District-wise, Season-wise Average Rainfall in Bihar, 1997-1998.
67. District-wise, Season-wise Average Rainfall in Bihar, 1998-1999.
68. Number of Livestock and Poultry in Bihar in 1977 and 1982 Census.
69. District-wise Number of Live-stock and Poultry in Bihar (According to 1982 Cattle Census).
70. Number of Live-Stock slaughtered in recognized slaughter houses of Bihar.
71. Area under Forest by Ownership in Bihar.
72. Classification of Area under Forest in Bihar.
73. Outturn of Reserved and Protected Forests in Bihar.
74. Revenue from and Expenditure on Forests in Bihar.
75. Production of Stick Lac in Bihar.
76. Percentage Distribution of Stick Lac in India.
77. Outturn of selected Minerals in India.
78. Outturn of selected Minerals In Bihar (in '000 Tonnes).
79. Value of Output of Selected Minerals in India.
80. Value of Output of Selected Minerals in Bihar.
81. Index Number of Mineral Productions of India (Quantity) (Base year : 1993-94 = 100).
82. Production and Distribution of Electricity in Bihar.
83. Percentage of Electrical Energy sold by the Bihar State Electricity Board.
84. Number of Towns and Villages Electrified in Bihar.
85. Annual Survey of Industries, Bihar.
86. Annual Survey of Industries in India (Percentage Share Of Important States).
87. Factory Statistics in Bihar.
88. Volume of Production in selected industries in Bihar.
89. Number of Co-operative Societies and Institutions Financed by Bihar Khadi and Village Industries Board.
90. Production and Sale of Khadi and Gramodyog Articles in Bihar.
91. Progress of Khadi Gramodyog in Bihar.
92. Employment Exchanges in India.
93. Employment Exchanges in Bihar.
94. Number of Applicants on the Live Registers Classified by Broad Occupational Groups in Bihar.
95. Average daily number of workers employed in mines in Bihar.
96. Number of Different Types of Co-Operative Organisations in Bihar (Part-I).
97. Number of Different Types of Co-Operative Organisations in Bihar (Part-II).
98. Working of Co-Operative Banks in Bihar During 1988-89, 1989-90.
99. Number and Coverage of Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads in Bihar.
100. Length of Extra Municipal Roads by Surface in India.
101. Motor Vehicles on Roads - India.
102. Different kinds of Motor Vehicles on Road in Bihar.
103. Postal Traffic and Earnings in India.
104. Number of Permanent Post-Offices and Letter-Boxes in Urban and Rural Areas in Bihar.
105. Number of Broadcasting Receiver Licences in Force in Bihar.
106. Telephone Statistics in Bihar.
107. Number of Tourists (Foreign and Indian) visited Bihar.
108. Number of Hospitals, Dispensaries, Beds, Patients Treated, Medical Practitioners and Nurses in Bihar.
109. District-wise Number of Hospitals, Dispensaries, Beds, Doctors, Nurses and Patients in Bihar, 2000.
110. Birth and Death Rate of Bihar.
111. Number of Recognized Educational Institutions in Bihar.
112. Number of Students by Stages of Education in Bihar.
113. Number of Teachers in Bihar.
114. District-wise Percentage of Literacy in Bihar for Rural and Urban Area (Census 1991).
115. District-wise Number of Permanent Cinema Houses in Bihar.
116. Approved Number of Newspapers And Periodicals in Bihar, 2000 (Provisional) - (Part-I).
117. Approved Number of Newspapers And Periodicals in Bihar, 2000 (Provisional) - (Part-II).
118. Approved Number of Newspapers And Periodicals in Bihar, 2000 (Provisional) - (Part-III).