Over a Million Attend This Year’s Lalon Festival in Kushtia

Around 10 to 12 lakh people attended this year’s Lalon Festival in Kushtia, making it possibly the largest cultural gathering in Bangladesh’s history, Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said on Monday, citing figures from the district administration.In a Facebook post, Farooki described Lalon as “deeply rooted in our culture and probably the greatest cultural ambassador for Bangladesh.”The annual festival, held to mark the 135th death anniversary of Baul saint Fakir Lalon Shah, attracted an unprecedented number of devotees, artists, and visitors this year in both Kushtia and Dhaka.According to the Kushtia district administration, the three-day celebration from October 17 to 19 in Cheuriya, the spiritual abode of Lalon, featured Baul songs, philosophical discussions, and spiritual exchanges.Renowned Baul singers including Tun Tun Baul, Sunil Karmakar, Rowshan Fakir, and Latif Shah, along with numerous artists from across the country, performed during the event.A simultaneous celebration took place on October 18 at Dhaka’s ...

• 20 Oct 2025