If there’s one fish that the Bengalis swear by, it has to be the hilsa fish, also known as the ilish. This fish is probably West Bengal’s most iconic fish – thanks to its importance in culinary traditions as well as local folklore. And if there’s one way to honor this fish, it is by dedicating an entire festival to it! The Sundarban Hilsa Festival or Sundarban Ilish Utsav is a unique festival that brings together the best of Bengali food traditions, rituals, and sightseeing all under one roof! Here are all the details you need to know about this festival!
How Sundarban Ilish Utsav Takes Place
When we say that this festival is unique, we mean it! This is because unlike other festivals that are mostly celebrated on fixed days, this one depends on the season and the arrival of the hilsa fish in the Sundarban Delta. The festival generally occurs between June/July and September as the fish is sourced abundantly in the monsoon season.
Many tour operators and hotel owners tie-up and offer attractive weekend packages to enthusiastic visitors in the Sundarbans. These companies take care of the accommodation, food, pick-and-drop, and other activities that visitors will take part in during their stay in Sundarbans. There are plenty of guesthouses and affordable hotels where visitors can stay and enjoy the Sundarban Ilish Utsav.
The pick-and-drop services are either from Kolkata or Canning Station in the Sealdah region. And when it comes to prices, these packages start as low as INR 3000 per person, making it an affordable weekend getaway for those living in Kolkata or nearby regions (or even if you’re any other part of the country).
Significance Of Ilish Fish In Bengali Culture
Ilish, as mentioned earlier, finds significance in Bengali culture – including its art, literature, food, and rituals. In fact, the fish also served as a strong political symbol when Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, gifted ilish to the Chief Minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu in 1996. This was just days before the landmark Ganges Water Sharing Treaty signed between India and Bangladesh. This ‘gifting of ilish’ was seen as a turning point in India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations after years of political unrest.
In Bengali culture, ilish is offered as a sacred food offering to Goddess Durga during Durga Pujo. In fact, many ritual offerings to the Goddess are incomplete without this fish. Not just that, but the fish has served as an important marker of social mobility in Bengali society. It has been an expensive fish for centuries which was once consumed exclusively by Bangla royalty. However, over the years, it has integrated seamlessly into Bengali culture to its entirety, including their weddings. It is served at the Bengali weddings to symbolize prosperity, abundance, and joy for the newlyweds.
Activities And Experiences At The Sundarban Hilsa Festival
There are plenty of fun activities to do at the Sundarban Hilsa Festival over your stay. Most tour operators organize all these activities for you and take care of the logistics, so you don’t have to worry about anything at all!
Delicious Hilsa Offerings
Of course, hilsa fish is abundantly made and served to visitors during this festival! This fish is incredibly versatile – it can be steamed, fried, and cooked in plenty of different ways. The most common way to enjoy the fish is to have it in a mustard gravy with rice (Shorshe Ilish). It is also steamed in banana leaves in what is known as the Ilish Paturi – a dish that you’ll find readily available here.
Cultural Performances
During the Sundarban Ilish Utsav, you’ll be in for a cultural treat! From folk songs to folk dances, including Baul songs and Dhol performances, the festival guarantees to add a touch of festive flair to your celebrations. These performances capture the essence of traditional Bengali folk culture, so make sure you do not miss out on these!
Wildlife Exploration
Are you even at the Sundarbans without exploring its thrilling biodiversity? The world’s largest mangrove forest is home to plenty of fish, birds, animals, and reptiles, making it a haven for wildlife lovers. There are many birdwatching and wildlife exploration tours that you can participate in to closely observe the rich flora and fauna of this mangrove forest. And while you observe the wildlife here, you might even get lucky by spotting a Royal Bengal Tiger – India’s national animal!
Boat Rides
Sundarban’s mangrove forests are a maze in itself and if you are keen on exploring the depths of this ‘mangrove maze’, we recommend taking a boat tour. A big advantage of these tours is that you need not be a wildlife expert or know everything about the mangrove ecosystem. These boat tours are conducted by expert guides who’ll explain plenty of things in detail – including the wildlife, local life, and traditional folklore!
Tips And Things To Remember At The Sundarban Ilish Utsav 2025
- Book your trip in advance as most tour operators offer limited slots (due to limited accommodation in and near the Sunderbans).
- When booking through tour operators, make sure to properly go through the inclusions and exclusions of your trip. Check whether your package is inclusive/exclusive of tour guide costs, entry fees (if any), and other things.
- Carry sufficient cash with you as digital payments may not always work due to the unreliable network.
- The Sundarbans receive ample rainfall in the months of June to September, so make sure you carry umbrellas, raincoats, monsoon-appropriate footwear, and mosquito repellents with you.
- Do not harm the environment in any way! Do not trouble the local wildlife, feed them without permission, or do anything that’ll disturb nature.
- Ensure that you avoid carrying single-use plastics; instead, opt for reusable plastic (for bottles and containers), cloth (for bags), or steel (bottles, containers, straws, etc) alternatives. And it goes without saying, do not litter at any cost!
Summing Up
The Sundarban Hilsa Festival or Ilish Utsav is back for another exciting year – especially if you love seafood! In the course of roughly 4 months, the mangrove forests will witness a large influx of tourists, both from within and outside the state. With the main attraction of the festival being the hilsa fish, it’ll be exciting to see how the festival brings together a joyous celebration of food, culture, and people!
