A traditional horse race has been held amid festive cheer at Chakai village under Bichhali Union in Narail Sadar upazila, drawing thousands of viewers from different parts of the district.
The race was organised on Wednesday afternoon as part of the ‘Paush Sankranti’ celebrations by Bichhali Union Parishad Chairman Himayet Hossain Faruk.
A total of 12 horses took part in the competition, with young riders racing at full speed in a bid to win the top prize.
The event, believed to be more than 400 years old, is organised every year on the occasion of Paush Sankranti.
A fair was also set up alongside the race venue where small traders displayed a variety of goods.
Thousands of men and women from different walks of life lined both sides of the field to enjoy the show.
Muhim, a visitor from Abhaynagar in Jashore, said he waits every year for this day. “This competition reminds us of our lost rural heritage,” he said.
Local resident Rezaul Islam Jasim said many traditional rural customs are now on the verge of extinction. “Horse racing was once a major rural tradition but it is now disappearing. However, in Chakai of Bichhali Union, the race is still held every year with spontaneous participation of thousands of people,” he said.
President of the Horse Race Competition and Paush Fair Celebration Committee Md Aminul Islam said a three-day Paush fair has been arranged alongside the race as in previous years.
He said the initiative aims to preserve rural heritage, provide entertainment and help build a drug-free society.
Union Parishad Chairman Himayet Hossain Faruk said the Chakai-Rukhali horse race is a 400 to 500-year-old tradition.
“The fair is held every year on the last day of Paush. This event has kept rural heritage alive. As long as we are here, this fair will continue. Since becoming chairman, I have tried to expand it further and also repaired the race track so that the festival can survive in this region,” he said.
Organising committee member Morad Hossain Sheikh said participants of different age groups took part in this year’s race, while the presence of women, men and children was particularly noticeable.
After the competition, prizes were distributed among the winners.