Want to Experience Rajshahi’s Traditional Fairs? Here Are 5 You Shouldn’t Miss.
Rajshahi isn’t just about mangoes or silk. It’s home to some of the country’s longest-running rural fairs—some over 500 years old. These aren’t tourist shows. They’re community-centered, tied to local traditions, faith, food, and seasonal rituals. Here’s a guide to five you should know, when they happen, and what they offer.
1. Eid Fair in Bagha — Running for Over 500 Years
In Bagha, Rajshahi, Eid-ul-Fitr comes with more than just prayers. Every year, the Eid fair starts on the day of Eid and runs for a week or sometimes even longer. This isn’t a small community event. It attracts thousands. There’s a religious root to it too—it’s organized by the waqf estate of the shrine of Hazrat Shah Moazzem Danishmand Shah Doula (R).
At the fair, expect full-scale entertainment: circus tents, nagordola (giant wheels), death-well motorcycle shows, street magicians. Market stalls sell local furniture, sweets, and household goods. The crowd cuts across religion and background. It’s noisy, packed, and intensely local. Don’t expect perfect facilities. But expect to be immersed.
2. Doi Mela in Tarash — A Fair Centered on Yogurt
This one’s in Sirajganj’s Tarash upazila. Timed with Saraswati Puja, it’s a fair built around a single product: doi (yogurt). Sellers from Rajapur, Sherpur, Bogura, Sripuri, and other nearby areas bring tubs of sweet, sour, thick, and creamy yogurt. The stalls overflow with khirsha doi, tok doi, and special regional variations.
Locals say this fair has been running for nearly 300 years. It’s not just for show. People come to buy. And eat. Some take bulk orders back home. It’s also a place to meet friends and relatives. It’s informal, loud, and mostly spontaneous.
Pro tip: If you care about hygiene, be selective. Not all vendors are equal.
3. Fish Fair in Uthli — One Day in Agrahayan
Held once a year in Agrahayan (late November or early December), the fish fair in Uthli village of Shibganj, Bogura, starts at dawn. No speeches. No concerts. Just fish.
Stall after stall sells giant rui, katla, boal, silver carp, bighead. Most are caught locally—ponds, canals, rivers. Others come from fish farms. Buyers bargain hard. Sellers shout prices. You’ll also find rows of local sweets like jhuri, kadma, jilapi.
And it’s not just Uthli. The fair spills into at least 30 surrounding villages—Narayanpur, Sadullapur, Debipur, and more. Many people invite relatives over. It’s like a one-day festival without a name. If you’re traveling, go early. By noon, many of the best fish are gone.
4. Poradah Mela — Worship Meets Fish Market
Also in Bogura’s Gabtoli area, the Poradah Mela is held on the last Wednesday of the Bengali month Magh. This one’s older than most. Around 200 years of continuous celebration, according to local sources.
The fair centers on a place that once had a huge bot tree. A Hindu monk built an ashram there. Over time, it became a pilgrimage site. The fair began as part of the annual Sannyasi Puja. Now it’s become a hybrid—half spiritual gathering, half commercial fish market.
Again, large fish are the main draw. People come from across districts to buy and resell. Expect huge crowds, open-air bargaining, and more sweets than you can try in a day.
Bring cash. And be ready for muddy roads if it rained recently.
5. Thakur Manda Fair — 500-Year Temple Festival
Held at the ancient Thakur Manda temple in Naogaon’s Manda upazila, this fair happens during Chaitra Shukla Navami, coinciding with Ram Navami—usually in April.
It’s a religious event first. Thousands of devotees gather for kirtan, prasad, puja, and offerings. Then comes the fair. Sellers set up temporary stalls selling food, household goods, toys, and religious items.
It’s not very commercialized. But it’s crowded, especially on the main day of worship. Be respectful. Follow the flow. Don’t interrupt rituals for photos.
Locals claim the temple and fair have existed for 500 years. It’s deeply rooted in the area’s identity. If you’re interested in religious heritage, this one’s worth your time.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Most fairs are seasonal, once a year. Plan ahead.
- Basic amenities are limited. Don’t expect toilets, clean water, or medical tents.
- Transport access varies. Some fairs are reachable by highway, others need local transport (rickshaw, auto, motorbike).
- Bring cash. Mobile payments are rare.
- Don’t expect guides or signage. These are local, informal events.
- Respect rituals and local customs. Especially in religious fairs.
