Photo: BSS

BOGURA, Nov 18, 2025 (BSS) - A traditional fish fair was held at Utholi Bazar in Shibganj upazila of the district this time again marking the Nabanna festival. 

According to locals, this fair is more than 200 years old. Every year, a festive atmosphere is created around this fair in the area marking the Nabanna day. A crowd of people was seen at the fair ground since early morning today. 

Traders from different districts of the country came to the bazar with big fish from previous night.

Fish sellers said that they wait for this day of the year to display and sell huge fish caught from rivers, haors and beels. 

Traders Ratan Mia, Pulak and Shahidul said that the price of fish is a little lower this year compared to last year, so sales have been good. The number of buyers is also quite high.

At the fair, rui fish was sold for Taka 600-700 per kg, katal for Taka 500-600 per kg, boal for Taka 550-650 per kg and brigate for Taka 300-400. New potatoes were also popular at the fair on the occasion of Navanna. Its price was Taka 300 to 400 per kg.

Apart from fish, the fair also had a variety of products including local sweet shops, toy shops, pitha stalls, bamboo and rattan products. 

The fairground became festive with the presence of everyone, including children and the elder people. 

 While visiting the fair, Fazlul Karim said, “This fair is a tradition of our area. Our fathers and grandfathers used to come; we have been coming since childhood. Now we are bringing our children so that they too can grow up seeing this tradition.”

He said  it is an old custom for the people of the area to invite their relatives to their homes on the occasion of Nabanna. Everyone, including daughters and sons-in-law, is invited to the house, he added. 

Apart from Utholi in Shibganj, similar fish fairs are also held on a small scale in some areas of Mokamtala and Mahasthan, but the Utholi fair is the largest in terms of popularity and size. 

However, some buyers and sellers have complained that the fair committee has charged more money for parking fees and market rent. 

In this regard, the leaseholder of the fair committee, Bulbul Islam, said, "It costs us a lot to organize this Nabanna-centric event. That is why the fee has been charged at an appropriate rate.”