A three-day commemoration will take place to honour the 134th death anniversary of spiritual mystic Guru, popularly known as The King of Baul Fakir Lalon Shah at his shrine in Kushtia’s Cheuria from today.
With the support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Kushtia district administration, Lalon Academy, an organisation to look after Lalon Akhra organized the event formally, will kick off on Thursday evening.
The programmes included discussions on Lalon’s life and philosophy, musical events featuring Lalon songs on the stage near the historic Kaliganga River, along with a rural fair.
Thousands of Lalon devotees and followers have already gathered at the Lalon Akhra (shrine), including Baul enthusiasts and researchers from home and abroad. The event typically draws crowds of eight to ten thousands of people over the three days.
Fully a non-communal Lalon Shah passed away at dawn on the 1st of Kartik in 1890 (1297 Bengali year), and he was buried in his worship room at Cheuria. This annual event has continued in his memory since his death. Every year, on the 1st of Kartik, this grand ceremony is held to commemorate the bard.
As a part of three days' events, the Lalon Akhra has already turned into a gathering of thousands of devotees and followers. Over a hundred temporary accommodations have been set up outside the main shrine, near the banks of the Kaliganga River. Hundreds of shops have been set up for the fair, and temporary tents are spread across the area, housing groups of devotees from distant regions. Visitors are also flocking to the site day and night.
Groups of followers from far and wide are arriving at the Lalon premises, singing Lalon's spiritual songs and bringing life to the atmosphere. Apart from singing day and night, they are also engaging in discussions about what Lalon Fakir teaches with some receiving initiation into his philosophies and practices.
Kushtia’s acting Deputy Commissioner (DC) and president of the Lalon Academy Ad-hoc Committee, Sharmin Akhtar, mentioned that the event schedule follows the usual format.
She stated that people have embraced Lalon because of his principles of non-violence and secular outlook. The key focus of the event is to spread the message of Lalon’s non-violent philosophy.
Kushtia's Superintendent of Police, Mizanur Rahman, informed that law enforcement agencies have been deployed to ensure the smooth running of the event. He urged everyone to participate peacefully and respectfully.
In addition to performances by Lalon Academy artists, Baul singers and devotees from various parts of the country will perform spiritual songs related to Lalon’s practices during the three-day event.