Thanda Kalibari Mela: A century-old tradition thrives in Nangalkot

The Thanda Kalibari Mela, a century-old fair in Nangalkot, Cumilla, continues to captivate visitors with its charm, drawing over a hundred thousand attendees this year. 

Held annually on the 1st of Magh (mid-January), the fair has evolved into the district's largest and most well-attended event, showing no signs of losing its allure.

The fair takes place in Mogra village, about a kilometre south of Hasanpur railway station, surrounded by water. On this day, the entire Nangalkot region is filled with a festive atmosphere, and the local markets transform into mini fairs of their own. 

These markets, like the main fair, feature a wide variety of both marine and local fish, with toy stalls and other products adding to the vibrancy. This year, it's estimated that fish sales alone could reach Tk50 crore.

Photo: TBS

At the fair today (15 January), thousands of people were seen streaming in from all directions, with children and young people keeping the atmosphere lively by blowing bubbles. Toy vendors were busy, while others sold traditional sweets such as jalebi and moya. 

Visitors enjoyed the merry-go-round, and buyers haggled over the fish at the bustling stalls. The fairgrounds were filled with large fish, including coral, surma, boal, katla, and rui, some weighing up to 20 kg.

Notably, the number of female visitors this year stood out compared to previous years. Organisers, police, and village security were actively working to maintain a peaceful and orderly environment.

Zakir Hossain, a fish vendor from Hasanpur village, says, "I've been selling fish here for the past 30 years. In the afternoon, there's a rush to buy fish. Around 200 vendors set up stalls at the fair and in nearby markets, and the average sales reach around Tk15 lakh."

Faiz Ullah, a marine fish vendor from Raikot village, added, "We gather fish from Chattogram fisheries well before the fair. Larger fish are more expensive, and people specifically seek them out on this day."

Abul Kashem, a jalebi vendor, said, "On fair day, a single stall can sell almost two tonnes of jalebi by evening. After noon, there's no time to rest."

Jasim Uddin Majumdar, a member of the fair's organising committee, told The Business Standard, "This year, we expect over a hundred thousand visitors. The atmosphere is excellent, and we have increased the number of volunteers and police to ensure everything runs smoothly."

History of the fair

Abul Khayer, a 78-year-old resident of Jiniyara village, shared, "The fair used to be held at the end of Poush. From what I've heard from my father and grandfather, there was a banyan tree by the fair, where rituals were performed. After worship, fish and sweets were offered to the deities. The fair started there. After independence, the fair moved to the 1st of Magh."

Prof Ruhul Amin Bhuiyan, former chairman of the Cumilla Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, said, "I first visited the fair in 1967 or 1968. The location has not changed. My father and grandfather also spoke of it. While we can't pinpoint its exact founding, the fair is over a century old."

Photo: TBS

The fair originated at the home of Upendra Chandra in Mogra village, where religious activities were held. His house, named Kalibari, gave the fair its name, "Thanda Kalibari," as it was held in the cold season. Despite the family's relocation, the fair continued uninterrupted, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to its cancellation in 2021 and 2022.

Ahsanur Kabir, a historian and researcher of Cumilla's history and heritage, notes, "Many fairs in Cumilla have disappeared, but this one has survived for over a century. It's an important part of our heritage, and we must work to preserve it."

Speaking to TBS, Nangalkot Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Al Amin Sarkar added, "This year, we've auctioned the fair to preserve this tradition. To ensure security, we've deployed both police and the army. We're seeing another large gathering this year."