Kurikhai Fair Katiadi

Once upon a time, traditional rural fairs of various kinds were held in the villages of Ganj throughout the year. These rural fairs are now disappearing as our mind and mentality have changed with the times. A rural fair like this one, which is a holder of our own culture and tradition, is rarely seen now. However, in some places, many traditional fairs are still being held every year following the age-old custom.

One such fair is Kurikhai Mela of Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj district . According to history, this fair has been held every year for about 400 years. Hazrat Shah Shamsuddin Awliya, one of the twelve Awliyas, came to Kurikhai area of ​​Katiadi 400 years ago with the aim of spreading Islam, since then this fair is organized around the shrine of his shrine. Every year this fair starts from the last Monday of the month of Magh and lasts for 7 days. Local people here wait for this time throughout the year. This fair is crowded throughout the entire time with the crowd of all the people around. Lakhs of people gathered from all over the country along with fakir dervishes.

All the traditions of rural fairs are present in this fair. There is nothing that cannot be found at the fair. Along with that, various feats of Saints from Ors and all over the country went on. But one of the attractions of this fair is the fish fair. On one side of the fair grounds is a huge and varied fish market. According to the custom, the sons-in-law of the girls of the area are invited. There is a competition between the sons-in-law to buy fish, there is an argument about who bought the biggest fish and went to the father-in-law's house. And the in-laws are entertained with that fish. A joyful atmosphere prevails in the area throughout the duration of the fair.

You can take an intercity train from Dhaka to Kishoreganj at Manikkhali station in Kishoreganj (it will take about 3 hours+). You can get down there by autorickshaw or CNG for a fare of 30-35 taka per person and go to the fair. If you want to come by bus, you can take any bus from Dhaka's Golapbagh, Sayedabad to Kishoreganj at Kishoreganj (time will take 3 hours+). From there you can go to Kurikhai Mela by autorickshaw or CNG for Tk 40-60.

There is no accommodation in Katiadi, if you want to stay at night you have to come to Kishoreganj Sadar. From there you have to come to Kishoreganj by CNG or bus from Katiadi. There are several residential hotels in Sadar's Station Road area.

Other places to visit in Kishroganj district include Satyajit Ray's ancestral home , Pagla Mosque , Egarsindur Fort , Jangalbari Fort , Kabi Chandravati Temple and Narsunda Lake.