The traditional Poradaha Mela of East Bogra and Gabtali is going to be held on Wednesday, February 10 amidst great enthusiasm by beating drums. The fair organizers are very busy to complete all the preparations. To entertain the relatives, many houses in the villages around the fair have been flooded. The fair has been held for one day on a fully privately owned land near Garidah river on the occasion of local sannyasi puja near Golabari port under Mahishaban union of the upazila. Thousands of people from different districts of the country come to the fair to buy and sell.

On the occasion of the fair, relatives gather at every house in the surrounding villages. There is no problem even if the son-in-law and other relatives are not invited to Eid or any festival. However, an invitation must be given on the occasion of the fair, which has become a custom. Although the fair is for one day, the fair in the area lasts for a week.

From the beginning of the year, lower and middle class families spend a lot of money on the occasion of the fair by depositing a small amount of money in the middle of the earthen bank or in the middle of the bamboo poles. Around this fair, fairs were set up illegally in Durgahata, Subodh Bazar, Darail Bazar and several other places of the upazila. Famous at the fair are big fish, all kinds of sweets, wood or steel furniture, big (cool), various furniture and food items including agricultural products are bought and sold like hat-bazaar.

In addition, recreational circuses, boats, micro-car games, magic, and nagordola are organized. The fair has been run by the Mandal family of Mahishaban village since its birth. The fair is licensed by the local union council. That is why Mahishaban UP Chairman Alhaj Aminul Islam is leading the fair.

The fair is held on the last Wednesday of the month of Magh or the first Wednesday of the month of Falgun in Bengal every year. Due to some problems, the fair was set up a little away from the main place in the last 2/3 years. Although the fair will be held on Wednesday, February 10, several shops have already been set up. Preparations are underway to make thousands of different types of sweets. Talking to Mahishaban UP Chairman Alhaj Aminul Islam on the issue, he said preparations for the traditional Poradaha Mela are almost complete.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mosha Raunak Jahan said the administration would extend all possible cooperation for the peaceful holding of the traditional Poradaha Mela subject to the approval of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. Talking to Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the police station Mohammad Nuruzzaman, he said, “If the organizers get permission from the concerned authorities for the fair, like every year, our law enforcers will be engaged in strict security at the Poradaha Mela.”