Bihar ·
Sonepur
Patna, the capital of Bihar, is a bustling city in the Indian Plains with a glorious past. It is a gateway to the Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage centres of Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, Kesariya and Pawapuri.
Sonepur at a Glance
Why Sonepur?
The highlights, landmarks and experiences that make this destination worth visiting.
- Patna Museum
- Indira Gandhi Planetarium
- Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir
- Pathar ki Masjid
- Rajendra Smriti Sangrahalaya
- Takht Sri Patna Sahib
Sonepur at a Glance
Essential travel information to understand Sonepur before planning your visit.
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Explore Sonepur
Places to Visit
- Patna Museum: It has more than 50,000 rare art objects, with many related to India in the ancient, middle ages and the British colonial era. Don't forget to see the Holy Relic Casket with the sacred ashes of Lord Buddha, and the beautiful statue Yakshani.
- Indira Gandhi Planetarium: Among the largest and best planetariums in Asia, it attracts a large number of both domestic and foreign tourists. The planetarium has regular film shows on subjects related to astronomy and also holds exhibitions.
- Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir: A crafts museum and a multi-purpose cultural centre. The building contains dance and drama studios, a gallery space, and an art museum.
- Pathar ki Masjid: Built by Pervez, the elder brother of Shah Jahan and the first Mughal prince who made Bihar his residence.
- Rajendra Smriti Sangrahalaya: A museum dedicated to Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.
- Takht Sri Patna Sahib: The birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.
Things to Do
- Maner-Sufi Saint Shrine: You can buy famous Maner Ka Ladoo(Sweets). Maner Sweets is one of the popular shops that specializes in these.
- Sonepur Cattle Fair: Largest cattle and animal fair in Asia. It is held in November in Sonepur which across the Ganges from Patna.
- Buddha Smriti Park: A large park constructed in former jail ground is an oasis from noise and bustle of the city. Quiet meditative place and air conditioned libraries are the real relief even for a waiting time for the train.
- Eco Park: Eco Park is worth a visit while in Sonepur.
- Funtasia Water Park: Contains attractions like waterslides, wave pool, swimming pools, multi-cuisine restaurant, coffee shops, souvenir shops and a banquet hall.
- Gandhi Maidan: Gandhi Maidan is the heart of this city today.
Sightseeing Places
- Patna Museum: It has more than 50,000 rare art objects, with many related to India in the ancient, middle ages and the British colonial era. Don't forget to see the Holy Relic Casket with the sacred ashes of Lord Buddha, and the beautiful statue Yakshani.
- Indira Gandhi Planetarium: Among the largest and best planetariums in Asia, it attracts a large number of both domestic and foreign tourists. The planetarium has regular film shows on subjects related to astronomy and also holds exhibitions.
- Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir: A crafts museum and a multi-purpose cultural centre. The building contains dance and drama studios, a gallery space, and an art museum.
- Pathar ki Masjid: Built by Pervez, the elder brother of Shah Jahan and the first Mughal prince who made Bihar his residence.
- Rajendra Smriti Sangrahalaya: A museum dedicated to Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.
- Takht Sri Patna Sahib: The birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.
Places That Define Sonepur
Explore the most iconic landmarks and sacred sites.
Patna Museum
It has more than 50,000 rare art objects, with many related to India in the ancient, middle ages and the British colonial era. Don't forget to see the Holy Relic Casket with the sacred ashes of Lord Buddha, and the beautiful statue Yakshani.
Indira Gandhi Planetarium
Among the largest and best planetariums in Asia, it attracts a large number of both domestic and foreign tourists. The planetarium has regular film shows on subjects related to astronomy and also holds exhibitions.
Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir
A crafts museum and a multi-purpose cultural centre. The building contains dance and drama studios, a gallery space, and an art museum.
Pathar ki Masjid
Built by Pervez, the elder brother of Shah Jahan and the first Mughal prince who made Bihar his residence.
Rajendra Smriti Sangrahalaya
A museum dedicated to Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.
Takht Sri Patna Sahib
The birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.
Gandhi Sangrahalaya
A public museum showcasing the life and principles of Mahatma Gandhi. It contains an exhibition containing photos, paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and quotations; all the major events in his life are told here.
Shrikrishna Science Centre
The main science museum in the city with over 50 exhibits on physics and mathematics, with an emphasis towards optical illusions. Targeted towards kid aged 10 and over but adults will also have an enjoyable time the first time around.
Golghar
Captain John Garstin built a Golghar for the storage of food for the British army with storing capacity of 140,000 tons in 1786.
Mahatma Gandhi Setu
The bridge over the river Ganges connecting Patna and Hajipur.
Kali Temple-Darbhanga House
One of the oldest temple of Goddess Kali.
Explore Destination on Map
Discover all sub-destinations, routes and detailed navigation information on an interactive map.
Explore Sonepur on Map
Open the destination map to discover attractions and routes.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Way
- When to Visit: Climate-based guidance for choosing your dates.
- Getting Around: How to reach and move around.
- Budget & Practical Tips: Costs and safety notes from local guidebook sources.
All Itineraries
- 1 Day in Sonepur: 1 days with detailed day plans
- 2 Days in Sonepur: 2 days with detailed day plans
How to Reach
- By Air: The nearest airport is Jay Prakash Narayan Airport (PAT), about 8 km from Sonepur.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Rajendra Nagar Terminal railway station, about 1 km from central Sonepur.
- By Road: Though public transport is non-existent there are a few buses plying on the main routes. Prices are generally 20-30% less than Tempos.
Best Time to Visit
- Summer: Summer in Sonepur (Apr, May, Jun) averages 26–35°C with about 37 mm of rain per month.
- Monsoon: Monsoon in Sonepur (Jul, Aug, Sep) averages 27–33°C with about 227 mm of rain per month.
- Post-monsoon: Post-monsoon in Sonepur (Oct, Nov) averages 21–29°C with about 85 mm of rain per month.
- Winter: Winter in Sonepur (Dec, Jan, Feb) averages 13–23°C with about 0 mm of rain per month.
Weather
- Summer: Average highs of 35°C and lows of 26°C.
- Monsoon: Average highs of 33°C and lows of 27°C.
- Post-monsoon: Average highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C.
- Winter: Average highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C.
Travel Tips
- Staying safe: There have been reports that British citizens are being discriminated against in Patna. Hotel staff may claim to have no vacancy whenever they see a guest with British passport, and direct you to the most expensive hotels in the city instead.
- Heat: Daytime highs reach about 36°C in April; carry water and plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning.
- Rain: The wettest months are July, August, September and October; check road and site conditions before travelling.
- Tickets: Patna Museum: Entry for foreigners ₹250, Indians, ₹10 additional ₹250 to see Holy Relic Casket.
Local Transport
- By auto-rickshaw: Shared 'tempos' as they are called are the easiest and cheapest way to get around in Patna. Fare is normally in the range of ₹5-15 and drivers rarely try to charge more.
- By metro: The Patna Metro is under construction, consisting of Blue and Red lines. As of 10 October 2025, only three stations of the Blue Line are operational: ISBT, Zero Mile and Bhootnath.
- By bus: Though public transport is non-existent there are a few buses plying on the main routes. Prices are generally 20-30% less than Tempos.
- By car: There are a few car rental companies available in Patna. But foreign travellers who have not driven in India may find driving the roads in Patna and Bihar a bit stressful due to the poor road conditions and the constant heavy traffic, although the road conditions have improved.
Suggested Itinerary
Choose the perfect duration for your Sonepur trip.
Spiritual & Religious
History
- Summary: Patna, the capital of Bihar, is a bustling city in the Indian Plains with a glorious past. It is a gateway to the Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage centres of Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, Kesariya and Pawapuri.
- Overview: Patna, the capital of Bihar, is a bustling city in the Indian Plains with a glorious past. It is a gateway to the Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage centres of Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, Kesariya and Pawapuri.
- Ancient History: Once called "Pataliputra", Patna was the capital of Maurya and Gupta empires. With a glorious period of history spanning a thousand years (500 BCE–400 CE), Pataliputra is where India's first major kingdoms rose and fell. Ajatashatru, second of the Magadha Kings, built a fort at Pataligram on the banks of the Ganges river. This later became the famous Mauryan metropolis of Pataliputra and was ruled by Chandragupta Maurya, his son Bindusara and his grandson Asoka, acclaimed for the spread of Buddhism across India.
Planning Guide
- Overview: Patna, the capital of Bihar, is a bustling city in the Indian Plains with a glorious past. It is a gateway to the Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage centres of Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, Kesariya and Pawapuri.
- Accommodation: Patna is a growing business city, and as such hotels tend to be overpriced for the room provided. It also means that many hotels are full most nights, giving little incentive to improve facilities. Listed options include Lemon Tree Premier and Hotel Patliputra Exotica.
The Sacred Heart of Sonepur
A timeless journey of faith and devotion.
Significance
Bihar is one of the poorest states of India, and for the first-time foreigner visitor Patna will look a chaotic, noisy city with many signs of poverty even near the city centre. This may change soon, since it has become one of the fastest growing cities of India.
Historical Significance
Bihar is one of the poorest states of India, and for the first-time foreigner visitor Patna will look a chaotic, noisy city with many signs of poverty even near the city centre. This may change soon, since it has become one of the fastest growing cities of India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sonepur is most comfortable in January, February, March, November and December, when average daytime highs stay at or below 32°C and rainfall is low. The hottest month is April (average high 36°C) and the wettest months are July, August, September and October.
The nearest airport is Jay Prakash Narayan Airport (PAT), about 8 km away. The nearest railway station is Rajendra Nagar Terminal railway station, about 1 km away. See the How to Reach page for road, rail and air details.
Main attractions include Patna Museum, Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir, Pathar ki Masjid, Rajendra Smriti Sangrahalaya and Takht Sri Patna Sahib.
A stay of 2 days covers the main sights. Ready-made 1-day and 2-day itineraries are linked on this page.
Average highs range from 21°C to 36°C over the year, with about 984 mm of rain in total.
Tour Packages for Sonepur
Your Sonepur Journey Starts Here
Explore top attractions, local culture, and the experiences that make this destination worth visiting.