Preparations near completion at Lalon shrine ahead of 136th death anniversary

Preparations are entering their final stages at the Lalon Shrine in Cheuriya, Kumarkhali upazila, ahead of the 136th death anniversary (Tirodhan Dibash) of the revered Baul emperor Fakir Lalon Shah.

A three-day memorial festival honoring the mystic philosopher is set to commence at the Lalon Akhrabari on October 17.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Image

Fresh painting, structural decoration, stage construction, and site cleaning are currently underway across the shrine grounds. Meanwhile, artisans and traders from across the region have begun arriving to set up stalls for the accompanying traditional fair.

Abdur Razzaq Bachchu, a member of the Lalon Academy organising committee, confirmed that all administrative and logistical arrangements will be completed well on time.

Image

For the gathering's long-time attendees, the occasion carries deep personal significance. Sabur, a Lalon devotee, described the annual gathering as far more than a cultural festival, calling it a vital pilgrimage for spiritual purification and a collective celebration of universal humanity.

Spiritual practitioners, Baul singers, and devotees from every corner of the country have already started congregating at the shrine, infusing the complex with an early festive energy.

Image

Kushtia Deputy Commissioner Touhid Bin Hasan highlighted the broader cultural resonance of the event, noting that Fakir Lalon Shah’s legacy embodies Bangladesh's core folk heritage, humanism, and secular spirit.

He added that comprehensive security and operational measures have been established by the district administration to ensure a peaceful environment for the thousands of domestic and international visitors expected to attend the three-day observance.