Hariharnath Mandir in Sonpur is also known for the famous temple of shree Hariharnath and the site of the battle of Gaj-Grah and rescue of the former by Hari
During Kartik Purnima Ganga Snan or ceremonial bathing in the Ganges is held by Hindus to be unusually efficacious. On the day of full moon (Kartik Purnima)
immense crowd assembles and take bath. The Mela commences on that day and lasts for more than a fortnight. The Shiva temple, Kali temple and other temples
and historical religious monuments are situated here and social and economical activities are at the highest peak during the Mela period. People come here
to pay their oblation to the lords and thus its importance is not within Sonpur of Bihar rather it is of India and world fame.
Baba Hariharnath:
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 Hindi month of 'Kartika'.
It is believed that the temple of Harihar Nath was built by Lord Rama on his way to 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, story of Harihar nath temple in Bihar:
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 dip in holy rive at the meeting place of ganga and Gandak.
Story, legend Gajendhra Moksha and Harihar nath temple:
You might have heard the story of Gajendhra Moksha, in your childhood days. If you have not here is the Gajendhra Moksha story. As per the legend of Gajendhra
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.
