Poradaha Mela is being held on the banks of the Ichamati River in the Gabtali upazila of Bogura. Photo: BSS

By Abul Kalam Azad

BOGURA, Feb 12, 2025 (BSS) – The 450-year-old fish fair, popularly known as 'Poradaha Mela', is being held on the bank of Ichamati River in Gabtali upazila of the district.

This traditional folk fair, locally known as Jamai Mela, usually takes place every year on the last Wednesday of Magh, the second month of winter in the Bengali calendar.

According to tradition, the sons-in-law compete each other to buy the biggest fish and take it to their in-laws' houses.
 
Everyone from the surrounding villages invites their daughters, sons-in-law and relatives centering the fair. The guests are served with large-sized fishes and sweets brought from the fair. The atmosphere of this fair lasts for a week.

This year, Taka 5 crore is expected to be transacted at the fish fair, said Fair Committee President Abdul Majid Mondal.

Locals said that more than 450 years back, there was a huge banyan tree (Bot Gach) at the place where the fair is currently going on.

One day, a monk appeared there. Later, monks came in groups and built an ashram there. At one stage, it became a sacred place for the people of the local Hindu community. 

After that, every year, on the last Wednesday of Magh, the people of the Hindu community organize the 'Monk Puja' or 'Sannnashi Puja' at that place. Devotees coming from distanced places gathered here to attend the special offering.

As the day progressed, the crowd started increasing. Gradually, the day of the puja became a village fair. At one time, the monks left the place, but the people of the Hindu community followed the 'Sannnashi Puja' and thus the fair has been famous in Bogura.

The main attraction of the fair used to be the two to two-and-a-half maunds of Baghair fish. However, the Wildlife Crime Control Unit declared the Baghair fish as critically endangered, so the fish has not been seen at the fair for the last three years.

The interesting thing is the fish is being seen in at least five shops on fair premises this year.

Besides, fresh Rui, Katla, Brighead, Blackcarp, Gujia, Boal, Ir, and Pangas from ponds, rivers and streams and various frozen marine fishes are also being displayed in the fair. Buy and sell is going on in full swing through bargaining.

After the large-sized fish, the main attraction of the Poradaha fair is the large and various-shaped sweets. 

Special arrangements for children including various rides and circus activities have been set up.

Baghair fish trader in the fair Jamir Uddin said that he comes to the fair every year to sell fish and large-sized fishes are specially sold here. 

Among the fishes displayed in the fair, the Baghair fish is the biggest one, he added.

About the price of the Baghair fish, he said that he sought Tk 64,000 for a Baghair fixing Tk 1,600 per kilogram (kg).

Till 9am today, one of buyers has offered the highest price of Tk 33,000 for that fish, Jamir said.

Fish trader Habibur Rahman said that per kilogram of rui is being sold at Tk 300-800 depending on the size while Katla is being sold at Tk 350-800 per kg, Mrigel at Tk 250-400, Gangchil at Tk 300, Chital at Tk 300-600, Boal at Tk 600-1200, Hangri at Tk 200-400, Grass-carp at Tk 250-550, Silver Carp at Tk 300-500, Bighead at Tk 250-500, Kalibaush at Tk 250-400 and Pangas at Tk 150-600.

Taking to BSS, visitors Shahadat Hossain and Sayem Rahman said that they came to buy fish at the fair.

Shahadat said, "Every year we come to this fair to buy fish. I bought a 12-kg Katla fish."

They hoped that they would be able to purchase more fishes of their choice after roaming the fair.

Anisur Rahman haling from Gabtoli Sadar said he bought a bighead fish weighing 11-kg for having dinner with his family tonight.

He has a plan to buy some famous sweets for his children from the fair.

Gabtoli Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ashiq Iqbal said a police team is working to prevent any untoward incident in the area surrounding the fair. Besides, traffic police are working to resolve traffic congestion, he added.

Mahishaban Union Parishad Chairman and Fair Committee President Abdul Majid Mondal said there are about 500 fish shops in the fair as it is held mainly for fishes.