Floating Markets in Barisal

One boat after another is coming and going in floating markets with different types of products. People from far and wide are coming to the bay with vegetables, fruits, rice, pulses and various crops. They are going back on the boat by after buying and selling. Suddenly, the boat floating in the river seems like a floating market in Bangkok. But the floating market is more unique than Bangkok or Thailand and traditionally luxurious as well.

Location: Jhalokati Sadar Upazila of greater Barisal, Swarupkathi of Pirojpur (Nesarabad) and Banaripara of Barisal district, several areas of Harta of Ujirpur, there are hundreds of floating markets which looks like a heaven in the water.

Paddy, River and Canal, Barisal is mainly a combination of these three.  Many people know this. But many do not know what immense divine beauty is hidden between the rivers and the canals. Everything looks like a picture. The water-bearing region is naturally boisterous in the life of the boat. In some areas, a large part of the business of the residents is in the water. For this reason, there are numerous floating markets in Barisal, Pirojpur, and Jhalokati.

Large paddy and rice floating market scheduled on every Saturday and Tuesday in Shondha River of Banaripara area of the district. From the very morning, hundreds of boats and barges were bought by rice and paddy. Many come to buy rice with an empty boat. The whole process is in the river. In addition to the rice market, there are floating vegetable markets as well.

There are several floating vegetable markets in Boitakata of Nazirpur, Harta, Mahmudkati of Ujirpur. Here also local people bring their vegetables by boat and sell them in the boat. The market starts from the morning. Locally produced red spinach, palanquin, spinach, banana, snake gourd, bean, cucumber, tomato, lentils, radishes, etc.

Market schedule: Floating rice market is expected on every Saturday and Tuesday in the Shondha River evening of Banaripara Upazila. Floating vegetable market is expected on every Sunday and Wednesday in Harta of Ujirpur. Floating vegetable markets at Baitakata in Nazirpur is scheduled on every Saturday and Tuesday. Floating guava market in Aatghor, Kuriana, and Bhimruli is expected on every day (from July to October).

Bhimaruli of Kirtipasha union of Sadar Upazila of Jhalokathi, Aatghor and Kuriana of Swarupkathi Upazila of Pirojpur famous for floating markets of seasonal crops and vegetables in different canals. All the markets start in the morning and end up in the afternoon. However, these markets float daily during the fruit season.

During the guava season, the floating markets of Atghar-Kurniana are more resilient. Buyers of these markets are known as Paikar. As a result, retailers don't get importance here. During market day Paikars come here with big engine boats.

Talking to the buyers and sellers of the markets, it is known that market starts six o'clock in the morning. It does not have much to sell after 10 am. There are variations in the time between guava, Hog Plum and other fruit seasons. Then the hats fall in the morning till noon. By purchasing seasonal fruits and crops from these floating hats, the buyers have taken various places of the country including Dhaka, Faridpur, Khulna, Barisal, and Chittagong.

On the other hand, farmers are also benefiting from the sale of low-cost cropped crops in the Barisal region, which is easily marketed to floating markets. As a result, revolution is happening in Jhalokati, Pirojpur and Barisal regions due to crop and fruit cultivation.

There is no declassified land near the house of the people of this region. The unemployed youths of the area started to cultivate various crops through modern technology. The products that are sold in the floating markets of Atghar-Kurniana and Bhimruli include Bombay chilies, coconut, pepper, lemon, papaya, pumpkin, guava, different local fruits, various types of spinach and potatoes. In the meantime, no crop is sold under the prescribed piece or weight (minimum 100 pieces or five kg).

These markets with tradition have now earned an excellent reputation as a tourist destination for all the people including domestic and foreign tourists.

How to go? If you want to go by bus, Sakura paribahans AC bus is available from Gabtoli and fare is eight hundred Taka. Besides, 'AC' buses Druti, 'Eagle,' 'Surovi' and 'Sakura' transport also available, fare 350 to 450 Taka. Sugandha Paribahan bus service is available from Saidabad of Dhaka to Jhalokati. From Jhalokati Sadar by motorbike, it takes about half an hour to go to the market, and it takes an hour to go in the engine boat.

Engine boats are available from Jhalakathi Launchghat or Kathpotti. A boat for ten people to run for the whole day is worth 15 to 2 thousand Taka.

Where to stay? You can return from Jhalokati in the evening. If you want to stay in the city, the general quality hotel is the only hope. One of the hotels in this town is 'Dhansiri Rest House' at Kalibari Road, 'Arafat Boarding' in Batasa Patti, 'Halima Boarding' on Sadar Road. Rent 100 to 250 Taka. Apart from this, you can stay at the Hotel Ifti in Swarupkathi's Miyar Haat. But if you want to stay in a good quality hotel, you will have to go to Barisal Sadar. Distance from Jhalokati, which is about 20 kilometers away.

Best time to visit: July, August, September month is guava season and the best time to visit. The season of the Hog Plum comes when the guava is over. And finally, comes the Betelnut in the floating markets.