The temple of Harihar Nath in Sonepur is believed to have been originally built by Lord Ram, the famous prince of Ayodhya, on his way to the court of King Janak to win the hand of Mata Sita.
Shrine’s History
An ancient and great temple of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu.This temple is made in the holy area ‘Hariharkshetra’ where a great animal fair named ‘Sonpur fair’ or ‘Hariharshetra fair’ gets organised every year in the Hindu month of ‘Kartika’. It is believed that the temple of Harihar Nath was built by Lord Rama on his way to the court of King Janak to win the hand of Mata Sita and later repaired by Raja Man Singh. Finally, Raja Ram Narain further modified the temple during the late Mughal period. These days, Sonepur fair also called Harihar Kshetra Mela is administered by District of Chapra with support from Bihar Govt. and promoted by the Tourism Ministry of Bihar.
The administration also arranges health and welfare camps, sanitation, drinking water facilities for the visitors. History and story of Harihar Nath temple in sonepur Bihar can be found here. Harihar Nath temple in Bihar was built by Lord Rama while going in the swayambar of Sita Mata. People perform puja at Harihar Nath temple when to come to sonepur mela and take the dip in holy rive at the meeting place of Ganga and Gandak.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
You might have heard the story of Gajendra Moksha, in your childhood days. If you have not here is the Gajendra Moksha story. As per the legend of Gajendra Moksha, king Indrayamuna and the Gandharva chief Huhu were turned into an elephant and a crocodile respectively by sages Agasthya and Dewala muni. One day the elephant’s leg was caught by the crocodile. The elephant tried to free himself of the hold for many years but could not do so. Finally, he prayed to Lord Vishnu to save him. Lord Vishnu freed the elephant from crocodile hold by cutting him with his Chakra. At that time both of them were also released from the curse of the sage and Lord Vishnu took the Gajendra with himself to Vaikuntha.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Sonpur is nearly 3 Km from Hajipur and 25 km from Patna and 58 km from Muzaffarpur in Bihar & 60 km from Chhapra, the headquarter of Saran District. Buses, Taxis and Auto-rickshaws are easily available.
By Rail
The Nearest Railway Station is Sonpur Junction railway station
By Air
The Nearest Airport is Patna Airport which is approx 30 Kms from Sonepur via Road
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
This temple is made in the holy area ‘Hariharkshetra’ where a great animal fair named ‘Sonpur fair’ or ‘Hariharshetra fair’ gets organised every year in the Hindi month of ‘Kartika’.
