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Sonepur (India)

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Gandak River, the women prepare bids (incense, rice and flowers), for the Puja (prayer)

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Gandak River, the women prepare bids (incense, rice and flowers), for the Puja (prayer)

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Purification bath of the body and spirit with water (basic element of Hindu religion), of the sacred Gandak river

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Purification bath of the body and spirit with water (basic element of Hindu religion), of the sacred Gandak river

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A Pilgrim intent on pouring the Sacred water as a symbolic gesture of recognition and gratitude to the gods

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A Pilgrim intent on pouring the Sacred water as a symbolic gesture of recognition and gratitude to the gods

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Young bride, recognizable by the red line in your hair, in pilgrimage to the temple

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Young bride, recognizable by the red line in your hair, in pilgrimage to the temple

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Preparing a Puja (a term that indicates an act of worship to a deity), which can be expressed in an offer, a cult, a ceremony or a ritual

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Preparing a Puja (a term that indicates an act of worship to a deity), which can be expressed in an offer, a cult, a ceremony or a ritual

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The purifying fire in the hands of a woman

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The purifying fire in the hands of a woman

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The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river

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The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river

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The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river

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The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river

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The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river

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The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river

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The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river

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The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river

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After the bath, the elephants are brought to the Sonepur Cattle Market, a fair that lasts even a month

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After the bath, the elephants are brought to the Sonepur Cattle Market, a fair that lasts even a month

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After the bath, the elephants are brought to the Sonepur Cattle Market, a fair that lasts even a month

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After the bath, the elephants are brought to the Sonepur Cattle Market, a fair that lasts even a month

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Merchants and buyers, meet to negotiate the sale of elephants and, in general, the cattle exposed in the market

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Merchants and buyers, meet to negotiate the sale of elephants and, in general, the cattle exposed in the market

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Merchants and buyers, meet to negotiate the sale of elephants and, in general, the cattle exposed in the market

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Merchants and buyers, meet to negotiate the sale of elephants and, in general, the cattle exposed in the market

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Merchants and buyers, meet to negotiate the sale of elephants and, in general, the cattle exposed in the market

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Merchants and buyers, meet to negotiate the sale of elephants and, in general, the cattle exposed in the market

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During the period of the fair, men and animals live in the same camp. In the photo, an elephant with a load of sugarcane

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During the period of the fair, men and animals live in the same camp. In the photo, an elephant with a load of sugarcane

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During the period of the fair, men and animals live in the same camp

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During the period of the fair, men and animals live in the same camp

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Painting of symbols and designs to beautify the elephants before being exposed in market

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Painting of symbols and designs to beautify the elephants before being exposed in market

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Seller of elephants at Sonepur market

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Seller of elephants at Sonepur market

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Seller of elephants at Sonepur market

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Seller of elephants at Sonepur market

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The Sonepur market area where there is the sell horses

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The Sonepur market area where there is the sell horses

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The Sonepur market

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The Sonepur market

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The hay used at night as a bed for the elephants

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The hay used at night as a bed for the elephants

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In the morning sun, women dry their Sari (sheeting used as clothing)

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In the morning sun, women dry their Sari (sheeting used as clothing)

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In the morning sun, women dry their Sari (sheeting used as clothing)

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In the morning sun, women dry their Sari (sheeting used as clothing)

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An exhibition of female articles visited by women who accompany sellers and buyers to the market

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An exhibition of female articles visited by women who accompany sellers and buyers to the market

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At night, the temperature drops and is necessari cover themselves against the cold

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At night, the temperature drops and is necessari cover themselves against the cold

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Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers

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Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers

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Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers

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Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers

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The police controls the flow of pilgrims

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The police controls the flow of pilgrims

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A group of pilgrims, had access to the entrance of the temple, he runs to be in the front row to donate offers

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A group of pilgrims, had access to the entrance of the temple, he runs to be in the front row to donate offers

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Women waiting to enter the temple for prayer

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Women waiting to enter the temple for prayer

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Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers

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Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers

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Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers

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Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers

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Pilgrims with jugs with water from the holy river and flowers, waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample

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Pilgrims with jugs with water from the holy river and flowers, waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample

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The offer for the Harihar Nath Tample

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The offer for the Harihar Nath Tample

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The offer for the Harihar Nath Tample, jugs with water from the holy river and flowers

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The offer for the Harihar Nath Tample, jugs with water from the holy river and flowers

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A holy man with his followers, heads to the Gandak river for purifying bath

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A holy man with his followers, heads to the Gandak river for purifying bath

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Women waiting to enter the temple for prayer

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Women waiting to enter the temple for prayer

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Harihar Nath temple. Pilgrims play the bell (sign of respect to the deity) and then throw the water in direction of the deity

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Harihar Nath temple. Pilgrims play the bell (sign of respect to the deity) and then throw the water in direction of the deity

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Harihar Nath temple. Pilgrims play the bell (sign of respect to the deity) and then throw the water in direction of the deity

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Harihar Nath temple. Pilgrims play the bell (sign of respect to the deity) and then throw the water in direction of the deity

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Pilgrim in prayer in the crowd

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Pilgrim in prayer in the crowd

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Who does not go to the temple to pray, as the carpenter, remains the market to do small jobs

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Who does not go to the temple to pray, as the carpenter, remains the market to do small jobs

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Where is Sonepur

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Where is Sonepur

Gandak River, the women prepare bids (incense, rice and flowers), for the Puja (prayer)
Gandak River, the women prepare bids (incense, rice and flowers), for the Puja (prayer)
Purification bath of the body and spirit with water (basic element of Hindu religion), of the sacred Gandak river
Purification bath of the body and spirit with water (basic element of Hindu religion), of the sacred Gandak river
A Pilgrim intent on pouring the Sacred water as a symbolic gesture of recognition and gratitude to the gods
A Pilgrim intent on pouring the Sacred water as a symbolic gesture of recognition and gratitude to the gods
Young bride, recognizable by the red line in your hair, in pilgrimage to the temple
Young bride, recognizable by the red line in your hair, in pilgrimage to the temple
Preparing a Puja (a term that indicates an act of worship to a deity), which can be expressed in an offer, a cult, a ceremony or a ritual
Preparing a Puja (a term that indicates an act of worship to a deity), which can be expressed in an offer, a cult, a ceremony or a ritual
The purifying fire in the hands of a woman
The purifying fire in the hands of a woman
The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river
The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river
The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river
The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river
The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river
The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river
The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river
The morning bath of the elephants in the Gandak river
After the bath, the elephants are brought to the Sonepur Cattle Market, a fair that lasts even a month
After the bath, the elephants are brought to the Sonepur Cattle Market, a fair that lasts even a month
After the bath, the elephants are brought to the Sonepur Cattle Market, a fair that lasts even a month
After the bath, the elephants are brought to the Sonepur Cattle Market, a fair that lasts even a month
Merchants and buyers, meet to negotiate the sale of elephants and, in general, the cattle exposed in the market
Merchants and buyers, meet to negotiate the sale of elephants and, in general, the cattle exposed in the market
Merchants and buyers, meet to negotiate the sale of elephants and, in general, the cattle exposed in the market
Merchants and buyers, meet to negotiate the sale of elephants and, in general, the cattle exposed in the market
Merchants and buyers, meet to negotiate the sale of elephants and, in general, the cattle exposed in the market
Merchants and buyers, meet to negotiate the sale of elephants and, in general, the cattle exposed in the market
During the period of the fair, men and animals live in the same camp. In the photo, an elephant with a load of sugarcane
During the period of the fair, men and animals live in the same camp. In the photo, an elephant with a load of sugarcane
During the period of the fair, men and animals live in the same camp
During the period of the fair, men and animals live in the same camp
Painting of symbols and designs to beautify the elephants before being exposed in market
Painting of symbols and designs to beautify the elephants before being exposed in market
Seller of elephants at Sonepur market
Seller of elephants at Sonepur market
Seller of elephants at Sonepur market
Seller of elephants at Sonepur market
The Sonepur market area where there is the sell horses
The Sonepur market area where there is the sell horses
The Sonepur market
The Sonepur market
The hay used at night as a bed for the elephants
The hay used at night as a bed for the elephants
In the morning sun, women dry their Sari (sheeting used as clothing)
In the morning sun, women dry their Sari (sheeting used as clothing)
In the morning sun, women dry their Sari (sheeting used as clothing)
In the morning sun, women dry their Sari (sheeting used as clothing)
An exhibition of female articles visited by women who accompany sellers and buyers to the market
An exhibition of female articles visited by women who accompany sellers and buyers to the market
At night, the temperature drops and is necessari cover themselves against the cold
At night, the temperature drops and is necessari cover themselves against the cold
Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers
Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers
Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers
Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers
The police controls the flow of pilgrims
The police controls the flow of pilgrims
A group of pilgrims, had access to the entrance of the temple, he runs to be in the front row to donate offers
A group of pilgrims, had access to the entrance of the temple, he runs to be in the front row to donate offers
Women waiting to enter the temple for prayer
Women waiting to enter the temple for prayer
Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers
Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers
Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers
Pilgrims waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample carrying jugs with water from the holy river and flowers
Pilgrims with jugs with water from the holy river and flowers, waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample
Pilgrims with jugs with water from the holy river and flowers, waiting their turn to make the offer to the Harihar Nath Tample
The offer for the Harihar Nath Tample
The offer for the Harihar Nath Tample
The offer for the Harihar Nath Tample, jugs with water from the holy river and flowers
The offer for the Harihar Nath Tample, jugs with water from the holy river and flowers
A holy man with his followers, heads to the Gandak river for purifying bath
A holy man with his followers, heads to the Gandak river for purifying bath
Women waiting to enter the temple for prayer
Women waiting to enter the temple for prayer
Harihar Nath temple. Pilgrims play the bell (sign of respect to the deity) and then throw the water in direction of the deity
Harihar Nath temple. Pilgrims play the bell (sign of respect to the deity) and then throw the water in direction of the deity
Harihar Nath temple. Pilgrims play the bell (sign of respect to the deity) and then throw the water in direction of the deity
Harihar Nath temple. Pilgrims play the bell (sign of respect to the deity) and then throw the water in direction of the deity
Pilgrim in prayer in the crowd
Pilgrim in prayer in the crowd
Who does not go to the temple to pray, as the carpenter, remains the market to do small jobs
Who does not go to the temple to pray, as the carpenter, remains the market to do small jobs
Where is Sonepur
Where is Sonepur

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By: Luca Rinaldini

ID: 85

Sonepur on Google Maps.
Sonepur, is located in the center of the area bounded by three major rivers (Ganges, Gandak and Ghagra), in the Indian state of Bihar. The Sonepur Mela (Fair), was founded in 340 BC, when Emperor Chandragupta Maurya bought elephants and horses along the rivers and even today, in the Hindu month of Karmik Urmina (November), takes place along the banks of the river Gangak, the most important market of animals of India. The event, which sometimes lasts even a month, is held in conjunction with the peregrination of thousands of people to Harihar Nath temple. At the market, you can sell and buy all kinds of animal, from elephants to buffalo, from birds to monkeys but the epicenter of the event, is the visit to the temple Harihar Nath. Offers and ablutions in the Gandak river, are part of the rituals creating among pilgrims, sellers and buyers a huge camp where people and animals live together for the duration of the fair.
Useful links for more informations:
www.bihartourism.gov.in
www.bihar-tourism.com
www.india.gov.in
www.airindia.in
www.indiatourismmilan.com
www.swagatam.com