Patna, (Bihar Times): A 10-member team of world’s reputed photographers led by a BBC lens-man and writer Steve Davey is arriving here to cover the world famous cattle fair at Sonepur in Saran district. This will be the first such team to come on the occasion of the 21 days fair, which is to start from November 22.

The world famous photographers want to showcase India’s rich heritage. According to an official this is one of the brightest chances to showcase India and its rich heritage.

The tourism department has constructed 20 Swiss double-bed cottages at the fair. According to Mukesh Kumar, manager of Hotel Kautilya Vihar, Patna, four of them have already been booked for this photographers’ group from November 22 to 25. BBC photographer Steve Davey is also a writer whose work has been published in magazines and newspapers all over the world.

Keeping in mind the huge rush the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) this time constructed these 20 double-bed Swiss cottages. All these cottages have already been booked till November 30.

The foreigners who have booked their cottages for the fair belong to France, Kazakhstan, Austria and Portugal. An official at the British High Commission has also made advance booking.

Sonepur is likely to be showcased in the forthcoming World Tourism Mart in London. Bihar tourism secretary Rashmi Verma and BSTDC deputy general manager Navin Kumar will attend the Mart between November 12 and 15.

Sonepur Cattle Fair, largest in Asia of its kind, has its origins in ancient times. Though it is in Saran district from road the distance from the state capital, Patna, is just 35 km. Till early 1980s steamer service used to operate between Patna and Sonepur as it is just on the opposite of river Ganga. The Fair is held on the confluence of rivers Ganga and Gandak and it starts with a holy dip by lakhs of Hindus.

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