BOGURA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) - The nearly 300-year-old traditional ‘Khaura Mela’, also known as Choto Sannayasi Mela, was held on Wednesday in Bogura with much enthusiasm and participation from locals and visitors alike.

The fair began in Jalshuka Khaura Daha area under Khottapara union of Shajahanpur upazila in Bogura from Wednesday morning. More than 300 small and large shops were set up throughout the day, turning the rural landscape into a vibrant marketplace.

Villages including Jalshuka, Chandai, Narilya, Khottapara, Baldipalan and Chanchaitara welcomed relatives and guests, as families gathered to celebrate the annual tradition.

Like the famous Poradaha Mela, the prime attraction of Khaura Mela was large freshwater fish of various species. As Poradaha Mela was not held this year due to its date falling a day before the elections, visitors attendance at Khaura Mela saw noticeable increase.

Thousands of visitors waited eagerly throughout the year to purchase fish such as Baghair, Boal, Katla, Rui, Big Head and Blood Carp from the Khaura Mela.

The largest Baghair fish, weighing 30 kilograms and 500 grams, was sold for Taka 36,000 at this year’s fair.

Nitai, a fish trader from Sariakandi, said that although fish prices were relatively high in the morning, they gradually decreased as the day progressed. 

Abdul Majid, a son-in-law from Dinajpur who currently resides in Jalshuka village, said he has been attending the fair for the past 20 years. He said that he receives money from his in-laws in addition to his own, and the family enjoys buying fish, sweets and sharing meals together during the event.

Apart from fish, the fair also featured a wide variety of exotic sweets, toys, ribbons, iron household items, wooden furniture, turmeric, lime for betel leaves and other daily necessities. A special attraction this year was fish-shaped sweets weighing up to three kilograms, sold at Taka 500 per kg.

The centuries-old Khaura Mela continues to uphold rural traditions, serving as both a commercial hub and a social gathering that strengthens community bonds in Bogura and surrounding areas.