Hindu devotees throng to have a holy dip at Sindurmoti pond in Panchogram union of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila yesterday on the occasion of traditional Sindurmoti Mela (fair) there.Photo: STAR

Traditional Sindurmoti Mela (fair) was held at Panchogram under Sadar upazila yesterday.
Thousands of devotees from different areas of greater Rangpur and other parts of the country and also from India took part in the fair that takes place every yearby the side of Sindurmoti pond.
They prayed at temple and took bath in the pond water. Devotees believe that bathing in the pond water brings peace and wipes out sin.
President of Sindurmoti Fair Celebration Committee Dr Subha Chandra Roy said the fair started around 250 years ago. A local religious leader introduced the fair and since then it is being held in the Bangla month Chaitra or on the first day of every Bangla year.
Elderly devotee Chandra Bala Roy, 65, said, “I have been attending the Sindurmoti fair for the last 32 years to seek divine blessings."
Debendra Nath Roy, 68, who came from Baro Nachina village under Dinhata PS of Cooch Behar district of West Bengal in India said, a large number of devotees came from India to celebrate the historical fair.
"We have been attending the fair for the last twenty years. We feel great after bathing in the water of Sindurmoti pond," said one of them.
Besides Hindus, Muslims of the region also come to the fair for enjoying the festival. They exchange greetings with their neighbours and purchase different items from the fair.
Shariful Islam, 40, said, "We come to the fair because we enjoy it. Besides, we can meet and greet our Hindu friends during the festival."