The annual festival honouring mystic poet Lalon Shah will begin on Monday at Chheuriya Akhrabari in Kumarakhali upazila of Kushtia District, though this year’s observance will be limited to a single day due to Ramadan.
Traditionally held over three days during Dol Purnima, the festival usually draws large crowds of devotees, Baul singers and spiritual leaders to the shrine premises, where music performances and a rural fair create a vibrant atmosphere.
This year, however, there will be no cultural programmes or fair. Acting caretaker Mashiur Rahman said the event, with support from Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the district administration, will be confined to discussion sessions and hospitality for Baul singers, concluding at noon on Tuesday.
Despite the scaled-down arrangement, Baul singers and Lalon devotees have already started arriving at the Akhrabari.
Groups were seen gathering, exchanging ideas and singing Lalon’s songs, creating a lively spiritual environment ahead of the formal observance.
Visitors expressed deep reverence for the saint’s teachings. Fakir Fahim from Dhaka said devotees eagerly await the Dol festival each year, when Bauls and spiritual leaders from home and abroad come together for reflection and exchange.
Mizanur Rahman, an expatriate from the United States attending for the first time, said he had grown up listening to Lalon’s songs and felt privileged to experience their essence at the shrine. He noted that Lalon preached love for humanity beyond caste, creed and religion.
Sadhu Tofazzel Hossain from Manikganj and Shanto Fakir from Chuadanga also highlighted the spiritual significance of the occasion, though they acknowledged the smaller scale of this year’s event due to Ramadan.
According to the caretaker, the programme will begin Monday evening with Gurukarya, followed by Rakhial service and midnight Adhibash. Balya service will be held at dawn on Tuesday, concluding with Purna service at noon.
Kumarakhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Akhtar said security measures have been strengthened, with CCTV cameras installed around the shrine and adequate police and Ansar personnel deployed. Village police, volunteer teams and medical staff will also assist visiting Bauls, devotees and spectators.
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