Historical Sindurmoti Mela held in Lalmonirhat

Traditional Sindurmoti Mela was held at surrounding the historical Sindurmoti pond at Sindurmati village of Panchagram union in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila on Thursday and Friday. Thousands of devotees from different areas of greater Rangpur and other parts of the country, along with people from India took part in the fair.

Hindu people prayed at temple and took bath in the pond water. Devotees believe that bathing in the pond water brings peace and wipes away sin. 

Bidhubhuson Roy, member of Sindurmoti Fair Celebration Committee, said the fair started around 300 years ago. A local religious leader introduced the fair and since then, it's being held in Chaitra or on the first week of every Bangla year.

Devotees' attendance this year was higher than any other year, he said.

Chandra Bala Roy, 69, said, "I've been attending Sindurmoti fair for the last 45 years to seek divine blessings." 

 Debendra Nath Roy, 75, who came from Baro Nachina village under Dinhata Police Station of Cooch Behar district in West Bengal, said, "A large number of devotees came from India to celebrate the historical fair."

"We've been attending the fair for the last twenty years. We feel great after bathing in the water of Sindurmoti pond," he said. 

 Besides Hindus, Muslims of the region also gather at the fair for the festivities. They exchange greetings with their neighbours and purchase different items from the fair. 

 Mahir Uddin, 55, said, "We come to the fair because we enjoy it. Besides, we can meet and greet our Hindu friends during the festival."

Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ershadul Alam said law enforcers took adequate security measures to ensure peaceful celebrations. Sindurmoti fair is historical and it is the biggest fair in the region, he added.