A traditional folk fair is organized every year at a place called Poradah on the bank of Ichamati river in Gabtali upazila of Bogra district. This ancient fair which has been organized continuously for about 400 years is known as Poradaha Mela. The distance of Poradah Mela premises from Bogra city is only 11 km.
Although exact information is not known about the year in which Poradah Mela started, the 16th century is considered as the origin of this fair. It is known that about four hundred years ago, a monk suddenly appeared under the banyan tree at the fair. Gradually other monks started coming there and an ashram was established here. As a result, the place became a place of pilgrimage for the local Hindu community. Since then people of Hindu community started organizing sannyasi puja on the coming Wednesday in the last three days of Magha month.
Devotees from different parts of the country began to gather in Sannyasi Puja. Gradually, the day of worship took the form of a village fair. Later the monks left this place, but the local Hindus continue to organize the Sannyasi Puja.
Naming of fair :
Initially the cremation fair was called Sannyasi Mela. But due to organizing a fair at a place called Poradah, the name of the place started to spread among the people. Once the name Poradah Mela became permanent. In addition to the name Poradah Mela, local people refer to this fair as ‘Jaai Mela’ and ‘Fish Mela’.
When is the fair?
Every year this fair is organized on the last three days of Magh month of Bengali Sun or on the first Wednesday of Falgun month. However, although Wednesday is the main day of the fair, the burnt fair lasts until the 3 days before Wednesday and the next 2 days. The day after Wednesday i.e. Thursday is known as Baumela. On this day, village brides and daughters from husband’s house to father’s house come with their husbands to shop in the fair. Even if it is Baumela, there is no ban on unmarried people coming to the fair on that day.
How to go
Poradoho fair can be reached by CNG or auto rickshaw from Golabari CNG stand at Chelopara, Bogra district headquarter.
Dhaka to Bogra by Bus: Buses to Bogra are available from Gabtali, Mohakhali, Shyamoli, Abdullahpur, Kalyanpur in capital Dhaka. Shyamoli Paribahan, SR Travels, Hanif Enterprises, Ekta Paribahan, Babul Enterprises, SA Paribahan, Shah Fateh Ali Paribahan are notable among the bus services to Bogra. Fare of AC and non-AC bus to Bogura is 550 to 1300 Tk.
Dhaka to Bogra by Train: Dhaka to Lalmoni and Rangpur Express trains travel via Bogra so you can go to Bogra by these trains. Dhaka to Rangpur Express train departs daily at 9:10 AM and Lalmoni Express departs at 9:45 PM. Rangpur and Lalmoni Express trains are closed on Mondays and Fridays respectively. The price of the train ticket is Tk 475-1093 depending on the seat.
Nearest Places to Visit
Location of Kokilpeary Zamindar House, Buddhist Temple, Sriloknath Saha House, Kalakopa Ansar Camp, Ukil House, Das House, Adnan Palace and Ichamati River near Khelaram Datar House.