Centuries-old Paglir Mela draws crowds in Panchagarh to honor local folklore

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The village of Shekhpara in Bangladesh’s Panchagarh district transformed into a vibrant hub of tradition on Saturday as residents gathered for the annual “Paglir Mela,” a century-old fair held on the 11th day of Muharram. The one-day event, which stretched from afternoon into the night, drew crowds with a nostalgic array of attractions, including traditional clay pottery, colorful bangles, musical whistles, and local delicacies like molasses-drenched jalebis.

The origins of the fair are deeply rooted in local folklore surrounding a woman named Amiran, who lived in the secluded, forested village nearly a century ago. According to local accounts, Amiran, who lived with mental health challenges, became a fixture of the community by reciting songs about Ashura during the month of Muharram. After her death, villagers laid her to rest along the roadside, and her grave—now known as “Paglir Mazar”—became a site for prayer and remembrance. Over the decades, these commemorative gatherings evolved into an annual public fair.

For the residents of Garinabari Union, the fair serves as a significant social landmark. Vendors who have frequented the site for generations, such as Muri-Murki seller Alim Pal, describe the event as a family legacy, noting that their fathers and grandfathers also participated in the market. Local resident Robiul Islam noted that the fair brings an atmosphere of celebration to the entire village, with households preparing special meals and welcoming extended family members, including daughters and sons-in-law, for the occasion.

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Despite its enduring popularity, the event remains an organic community tradition rather than a managed commercial venture. Local resident Ashraful Islam noted that the fair lacks an official organizing committee, yet crowds and vendors consistently arrive each year by tradition. For the community, the gathering is more than a marketplace; it is an inherited cultural practice that bridges the past and the present, preserving the memory of the woman whose quiet presence left a lasting mark on the village of Shekhpara.