Every year, the Poradaha Mela is held on the last Wednesday of Magh or the first Wednesday of Falgun according to the Bengali calendar. Keeping with the tradition of hundreds of years, the traditional Poradaha Mela is held on the banks of the Ichamati River in Gabtali, Bogra. During this fair, the riverbanks are filled with festive tunes and crowds of people. Not just a village, but the entire Bogra district seems to become colorful around the Poradaha Mela, which is also known as Jamai Mela. But this year, that familiar scene will not be seen.
The last Wednesday of Magh (February 11) falls on the day before the 2026 National Parliament elections. That is why the Poradaha Mela has been postponed this year. After that, the fair will not be organized on the first Wednesday of Falgun either.
Abdul Majid Mandal, the current chairman of Mahishaban Union in Gabtoli Upazila and one of the organizers (landowners) of the Poradaha Mela, said that an old court ruling from 1959 has become an obstacle to the fair not being held this time. In 1959, the organizers of the fair and the landowners filed a case with the then government over the fair land. Later, the court ruling said that the Poradaha Mela should be held on the last Wednesday of Magh or the first Wednesday of Falgun. If there is an exception to this, the government will take the fair rent and the fair will be managed by the government.
He also said that according to the rules, if the last Wednesday of Magh falls on the 25th, then the fair will be held on the first Wednesday of Falgun. And if it falls on the 26th or after, then the fair has to be held on the last Wednesday of Magh. This time, the last Wednesday of Magh fell on the 28th. According to the rules, the fair was supposed to be held on that day. The obstacle to this is the national election. The last Wednesday of Magh fell on the day before the national election. That is why it is not possible to organize the fair.
Abdul Majid also said that the traditional bride fair is held the day after the Poradaha fair. But this time, everything will be closed for these two days due to the elections. Vehicles will not ply. There will be a problem whether people will be busy voting or holding the fair. That is why the fair has been postponed. According to the court ruling, there is no opportunity to organize the fair later. If they do, the organizers will have no right to hold the fair, said Abdul Majid.
According to the information provided about this traditional fair in conversation with several elderly people from Poradaha village in Gabtali upazila, the history of the Poradaha fair is not just a festival, it is a tradition. About 400 years ago, a monk appeared in the Poradaha village of Gabtali. Around his arrival, an ashram was built under a banyan tree in the village. The monk worship started there. And centered on that worship, the Poradaha fair later started on the day of the worship.
Every year, on the last Wednesday of Magh, people of the Hindu community organize the Sanyasi Puja at that place. Devotees from far and wide gather. Over time, the presence of people at the place continues to increase. Thus, the Poradaha Mela was founded. The fair has been held regularly for more than 250 years. This fair has become a gathering of people of all religions, crossing the boundaries of religion. The fair is for one day. However, the festive atmosphere lasts for a week. The new husband-in-law and wife and relatives celebrate this festival together.
On the occasion of the Poradaha Mela, the sons-in-law of the village come to their in-laws' houses. There is a reception from house to house. The day after the fair is a special day of joy for women. The bride fair is held there on that day.
The village is filled with shopping, stories, and laughter on the banks of the Ichamati around the Poradaha Mela. But this time, there is no such story. There will be no crowd of people on the banks of the Ichamati, no festive tunes will be played. The tradition has come to a halt with an old court ruling.
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