As every year, the traditional Jor Machh Mela (paired fish fair) has been held again at Manohar Bazar in Shariatpur. Held at the end of Poush and the start of Magh, the fair is at least 200 years old. Its special attractions are pairs of hilsa and aubergines.

Local people say the hilsa fair is a 200-year tradition of Manohar Bazar and the surrounding area. It is held on the first day of Magh on the grounds of the Kali temple in Madhyapara, Sadar upazila. Everyone who comes goes home with a pair of hilsa and aubergines, which is why it is called the paired fish fair. Children are especially keen: going with the grown-ups, they eat sweets, then head home happily with colourful balloons and toys, blowing on whistles. The day brings a festive mood to every household in the area. This year, however, buyers were disappointed that hilsa prices had risen somewhat.

From dawn, fish sellers set up wooden platforms on the temporary open ground and laid out hilsa on wide baskets. Beside them were stalls selling vegetables, toys and various foods. Braving the biting cold, the whole fairground came alive with the calls of buyers and sellers.

Local resident Babul Saha said: "I used to come to the fair with my father. Now I bring my children. This fair is our tradition. On the first day of Magh we come to the fair and go home with a pair of hilsa and a pair of aubergines."

Soumya Das, a visitor, said: "As every year, the paired fish fair has been held again. The fair has created a festive mood in our area. Children are buying all kinds of toys, and many kinds of food stalls have been set up. But this year the fish is a bit more expensive."

Farid Bepari said: "Since childhood we have seen a fish fair held here at the start of Magh. We come to the fair too and buy hilsa."

Local fish sellers have sold fish at the fair for generations, since their fathers' and grandfathers' time. The report says fish worth several lakh taka is sold in just three hours at the fair, and sellers are happy with the good prices.

Fish trader Goutam Das said: "My father used to sell fish here, and before him his father. Now I sell fish. The fair starts at dawn and runs until 10 in the morning. In these few hours at least Tk 25 to 30 lakh worth of fish is sold here. We are happy to be getting good prices this year."

The organising committee says the old fair carries the tradition forward and that it will continue to be held in future.

Sujit Das, a member of the organising committee, said: "This old paired fish fair is an example of the bond of harmony between Hindu and Muslim communities. The fair once belonged to Hindus, but over time everyone now takes part. Like Hindus, Muslims come to the fair and buy hilsa. We will keep running the fair in the years ahead."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.