Boat races in celebration of Vishwakarma Puja were held yesterday in three villages of Gopalganj – Kaliganj, Gopalpur and Guadhana.
More than a hundred people from Gopalganj, Madaripur, Barisal and Pirojpur took part in the race in Kaliganj held across a 2km area from Kaliganj Bazar to Khejurbari. Thousands of men and women of different ages gathered on both sides of the canal to enjoy the race.
In Gopalpur of Tungipara upazila, the boat race is a tradition that dates back to nearly 200 years. It was held in Doal canal with the participation of 25 boats. A fair was also arranged on the bank of the canal.
Samir Kumar Biswas, a teacher by profession who came to enjoy the race, said tradition was still alive after all these years and was a source of joy for the locals.
Seventy-three-year-old Sushanta Biswas said the locals prepare special foods on occasion of the boat race.
Meanwhile, 15 boats took part in the race in Guadhana which was arranged by Guadhana Jubo Sangha.
The winners in the race were also awarded.
