Sonpur

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Sonpur | type = city | latd = 25.7| longd = 85.18
state_name = Bihar
district = Saran
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude =
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 33,389| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

See Sonepur (disambiguation) for other similar names.

Sonpur is a town in the Indian state of Bihar, that is situated on the banks of the River Gandak in Saran district in the Indian state of Bihar.

Geography

It is located at coord|25.7|N|85.1833|E| at an altitude of 42 metres (137 feet). It is the divisional headquarters of the East Central Railway of the Indian Railways. It hosts one of the world's largest animal fairs. It is located in one of the most strategic geographical location in the INdian Sub continent that is on the confluence of four mighty rivers, each has its own geographical excellence. Son from south carrying solid sands of Vindyachal and chotanagpur plateau push the ganga stable here which in reverse direction, from north pushed by Ghagra with a good cusec of water flow.Ghagra which legendary known as Saryu insome parts of its path is actually the river Koirala having its origin in Annapurna range of the Himalaaya loads larger cusec of water and so is the Saptagandaki. The latter is another mighty river in terms of cusec all these three converge into the Ganga here in the area of some 100 to 150 square kilometers. Domesticated animals had been the sole source of all economic activities since ancient times , perhaps because of this strategic location the animal fair has been organised. The river Gandak must have been the route of the movement of Budha and his followers from Nepal Tarai to Magadh that is why many of the stupas and similar structure including Ashokas pillars are found in the banks of thei river. The location of Pathar ki Maszid just opposite the meeting point of the gandak, that is southern bank of the ganga shows the muslim influence of trade and commerce in medeival time. The location of Patna sahib old market and also Golghar(grannery) are the representative of trade and commerce of modern hidstory staryting from 18 century AD because of this geographical strategic location. The current township Patna is just the modern version of the makeshift headquartrs of military establishments of old Patnacity which in turn was later version of Patliputra, the capital of Marya Empire. (Subhash Seraphim, [e-mail])

Of the seven railway stations in the world having the longest railway platforms, as many as five are in India, Sonepur being the one with the second longest platform in the world (2,415 feet). It is connected by two rivers, Ganga and Gundak. (Niraj Singh)

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Sonpur had a population of 33,389. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Sonepur has an average literacy rate of 60%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 70%, and female literacy is 48%. In Sonepur, 16% of the population is under 6 years of age.

References

External links

* [http://www.drmsonpur-ecr.gov.in/About%20Us.htm Sonpur Division] – Eastern Central Railways