Traditional fish fair in Bogura draws huge crowd

‘Poradaha Mela’, a 400-year-old traditional fair was held at Poradaha in Gabtali upazila of Bogura district yesterday amid enthusiasm and fanfare.  

Every year around 60-70 thousand people attend the fair in Poradaha. The main attractions of the fair are various types of fish from the sea and rivers. Imported fish is also available in this fair.

Bamboo, cane-made products, and many other things are also available in the fair.  Locals in Poradaha, mostly from the Hindu community, arrange this traditional fair every year between the Bengali months of ‘Magh’ and ‘Falgun’. Puppet shows, circus, etc are also arranged to entertain the visitors.

Different types of sweetmeat, handicrafts and precious wooden items are also sold at the fair.

‘Poradaha Mela’ has become a grand occasion for people of 12 upazilas of the district and also other parts of the country. Many species of fish such as ‘Baghair’, ‘Boal’, ‘Rui’, ‘Katla’, ‘Mrigel,’ etc were brought for sale at the daylong Poradaha Mela yesterday. Vendors said a ‘Baghair’ fish weighing 80 kg was sold at Tk 1,20,000 while a 50kg Boal fish was sold at Tk 90,000. ‘Katla’ fish was sold at Tk600- Tk1,200 per kg and Rui fish was sold at Tk800 to Tk1300 at the fair.

Abdul Waresh Ansary, Gabtoli upazila nirbahi officer and also executive magistrate, Taposh Kumar Pal, additional superintendent of police of Gabtoli circle, members of some law enforcement agencies were present at the fair in order to control law and order situation, said Mohisaban UP Chairman Aminul Islam.  

Traditional fish fair in Bogura draws huge crowd

Poradaha Mela, a 400-year-old traditional fair was held at Poradaha in Gabtali upazila of Bogura district yesterday amid enthusiasm and fanfare. Every year around 60-70 thousand people attend the fair in Poradaha. The main attractions of the fair are various types of fish from the sea and rivers. Imported fish is also available in this fair. Bamboo, cane-made products, and many other things are also available in the fair. Locals in Poradaha, mostly from the Hindu community, arrange this traditional fair every year between the Bengali months of Magh and Falgun. Puppet shows, circus, etc are also arranged to entertain the visitors. Different types of sweetmeat, handicrafts and precious wooden items are also sold at the fair. Poradaha Mela has become a grand occasion for people of 12 upazilas of the district and also other parts of the country. Many species of fish such as Baghair, Boal, Rui, Katla, Mrigel, etc were brought for sale at the daylong Poradaha Mela yesterday. Vendors said a Baghair fish weighing 80 kg was sold at Tk 1,20,000 while a 50kg Boal fish was sold at Tk 90,000. Katla fish was sold at Tk600- Tk1,200 per kg and Rui fish was sold at Tk800 to Tk1300 at the fair. Abdul Waresh Ansary, Gabtoli upazila nirbahi officer and also executive magistrate, Taposh Kumar Pal, additional superintendent of police of Gabtoli circle, members of some law enforcement agencies were present at the fair in order to control law and order situation, said Mohisaban UP Chairman Aminul Islam.