Photo : Messenger
The traditional "Poradaho Mela," a 250-year-old event, recently took place in Golabari area under Gabtoli upazila of Bogura district, attracting thousands of attendees. This fair, spanning over two hundred bighas of land, is renowned for its diverse selection of large fish and spicy sweets, generating millions in sales within a day.
Among the highlights of the fair are exceptionally large fish, some weighing up to 40 kg, with prices ranging from 1500 to 1100 taka per kg. Additionally, fish-shaped sweets, particularly an 11 kg sweet resembling a cuttlefish, drew significant attention, priced at 400 taka per kg. The fair, also known as the "fish fair," sees attendees purchasing fish and sweets as gifts for their in-laws.
An array of entertainment and festivities accompanies the fair, which historically spanned a single day but now extends to a second day known as ‘Bau fair’. Notably, around twenty varieties of fish-shaped sweets are available, alongside fruits, furniture, and other essentials.
The fair holds cultural significance, particularly for the Hindu community, with its origins traced back to the establishment of a holy site by monks centuries ago. Over time, it evolved into a cremation fair, drawing attendees from diverse religious backgrounds.
The fair's main buyers are the sons-in-law of the region, prompting celebrations in surrounding villages, where they are invited along with other relatives. Located on the banks of Ichamati, the fair is commonly referred to as Poradah Mela and features over two thousand shops, including four hundred dedicated to fish sales, with transactions amounting to millions.
This year, traders like Badshah, Titus, and Azad brought large quantities of Katla fish, but reported lower sales compared to previous years. Despite this, vendors like Mahidul Islam of Anik Sweets Bhandar sold sizable quantities of fish-shaped sweets, with prices ranging from 200 to 400 taka per kg.
Attendees like Mariya Khatun expressed joy at the fair's offerings, while locals like Alal Uddin purchased fish and sweets for their families, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
Chairman Abdul Majeed, head of the organizing committee, assured a peaceful conclusion to the fair, which saw the deployment of additional police personnel to maintain order. As of Wednesday afternoon, no untoward incidents were reported.
The Poradaho Mela continues to be a cherished tradition, uniting communities through its offerings of fish, sweets, and cultural festivities, all while ensuring a safe and orderly environment for attendees.
Messenger/Rocky
