Lalon Memorial Festival, Rural Fair Begin Today
Final preparations are underway at Lalon Akhrabari in Cheuria, Kushtia, to commemorate the 136th disappearance anniversary (Tirodhan Dibosh) of the mystic saint Fakir Lalon Shah. Organized by the district administration and Lalon Academy, the three-day festival and rural fair will run from October 17 to October 19. The shrine premises and the Kaliganga riverbank stage have been colorfully illuminated, while traders from across the country have set up stalls. Organizing committee member Abdur Razzaq Bachchu confirmed that all stage decorations and logistical preparations will be completed strictly within the scheduled timeframe.
Devotees, Bauls, spiritual seekers, and visitors have already gathered at the venue, transforming the Akhrabari into a vibrant cultural hub. Followers are singing Lalon’s mystic songs to the beats of the ektara and dhol, engaging in spiritual discourses with their disciples. Mamun Sadhu, a dedicated Lalon follower, highlighted the spiritual essence of the event, emphasizing that this occasion is not merely a grand festival, but a sacred gathering dedicated to humanity and self-purification.
To manage the massive influx of visitors, law enforcement agencies have established a comprehensive three-tier security architecture surrounding the area. Kushtia’s Additional Superintendent of Police, Faisal Mahmud, informed that multi-agency security personnel have been deployed, alongside frequent anti-drug drives near the shrine to ensure a completely drug-free event. Shrine custodian Mohammad Ali added that daily discussion sessions will be followed by soul-stirring Lalon music performances by artists from the Lalon Academy and visiting Bauls.
Historically celebrated every year since Fakir Lalon Shah’s passing on October 17, 1890 (1st Kartik, 1297 BS), the festival highlights Bangladesh’s rich secular heritage. Kushtia Deputy Commissioner and Lalon Academy President Touhid Bin Hasan stated that this memorial festival is deeply intertwined with Bangladesh’s folk culture, humanity, and non-communal spirit. He assured that the administration and police forces have taken all necessary measures to guarantee full security and conduct the entire festival peacefully.
