Kaunhara Ghat

Kaunhara Ghat is a historic river ghat located at the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak rivers in Hajipur, Vaishali district, Bihar. Revered in Hindu tradition as the site of the Gajendra Moksha legend where Lord Vishnu rescued an elephant from a crocodile, it is a prominent pilgrimage and bathing ghat. It is especially significant during Kartik Purnima and the nearby Sonepur Mela, offering river views and proximity to Mahatma Gandhi Setu.

Visitors can expect a wide stepped riverbank at the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak rivers with open views of the water, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge, and daily ritual bathing. The ghat has a simple, open setting with temples and shrines nearby, boats moored along the bank, and pilgrims performing prayers and offerings. During Kartik Purnima and Sonepur Mela period the area becomes crowded with devotees, temporary stalls and fair activity.

Kaunhara Ghat is traditionally identified as the site of the Gajendra Moksha episode described in the Bhagavata Purana, where Lord Vishnu saved the elephant king Gajendra from a crocodile (Graha). The name Kaunhara is said to derive from 'Gaj-Grah' fight. The ghat has long served as a historic river crossing and bathing place at the Gandak-Ganga confluence near ancient Vaishali region.

The ghat is a revered Hindu pilgrimage site for holy bathing, especially on Kartik Purnima when devotees take a dip at the confluence. It is culturally linked to the Sonepur Mela (Harihar Kshetra Mela), one of Asia's largest cattle fairs, held nearby at Sonepur on the opposite bank, where pilgrims bathe at Kaunhara Ghat before visiting the Hariharnath Temple.