In honour of the 135th death anniversary of Fakir Lalon, the spiritual mystic of the subcontinent and the Baul king, a three-day Lalon festival has been organized in Chheuriya, Kumarkhali, Kushtia.
Saturday marked the final day of the event.
Over the past two days, the gathering at Akhra Bari has been filled with songs, spiritual sessions, and discussions of Lalon devotees, followers, bauls, and fakirs.
On Friday morning, Bauls were served curd and puffed rice for breakfast, as part of the traditional hospitality, and a meal of rice, lentils, vegetables, and ilish for lunch.
Following the meal, the disciples were formally inducted by their respective spiritual guides according to the teachings of Lalon.
These rituals marked the conclusion of the main spiritual gathering on Lalon's death anniversary.
Before this, on Thursday evening, the customary practices began with a special ceremony known as Adhibas after sunset, initiating the continuous spiritual rituals that last for twenty-four hours.
Although the spiritual sessions concluded on Friday, the three-day discussion and cultural programs, organized by the Lalon Academy with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the district administration, will continue until midnight on Saturday.
However, the rural fair that started in connection with the commemorative event will continue for a few more days.
As of last night, the entire Akhra Bari premises were bustling with people, with no space to spare.
People of all religions and communities; saints, Bauls, Lalon devotees, and followers were immersed in songs, discussions, and exchanging ideas, creating a unique atmosphere.
The entrance to Lalon Academy, Lalon’s shrine, the Akhra Bari, and the fairgrounds were all filled with crowds.
Inside the Akhra Bari, thousands of Bauls and followers of Lalon, mostly dressed in white robes and some in different attire, gathered.
The organizers provided them with meals, including rice, lentils, vegetables, and ilish, as a part of the traditional offering.
According to tradition, the saints and their mentors shared their meals.
Speaking with Ridan Fakir from Faridpur, who has been visiting Akhra Bari for 29 years, he said: "People go to mosques, temples, and various institutions to become imams, engineers, or doctors. But where does one go to become truly human? Lalon has established a school of practical philosophy to achieve this transformation."
Muslima Khatun, a student, said: "Sai Ji always guided people towards the path of love and goodness. It is through loving others that one can reach the divine. That is why Sai Ji said, 'If you serve humanity, you become a golden human.”
Saikat Ahmed, a college student from Manikganj, said: "Lalon's messages and songs transcend religion, caste, and race. That is why I have come to Akhra Bari, drawn by this connection. This year, there is a larger crowd compared to previous years."
Meanwhile, on Friday night, during the second day of the three-day event commemorating Fakir Lalon’s 135th death anniversary, poet and thinker Farhad Mazhar spoke as the chief guest.
He highlighted that Fakir Lalon, often referred to as the 'Baul king,' had been misinterpreted over time, reducing his profound ideology of Fakirism by labelling it as Baul.
He said that Lalon's songs, which are aimed at serving humanity, were never confined to any religion, and that his teachings have been the subject of extensive research worldwide.
Lalon's philosophy is rooted in the traditions of the five spiritual schools of Nadia, which he has passed down to his followers, offering a path of peace amidst societal conflicts.
Farhad Mazhar also voiced his disapproval of how Lalon's teachings have been misinterpreted, with practices involving women and intoxicants.
He called for preserving the sanctity of this spiritual space, stating that such practices should not be allowed, just as the people of Bangladesh once fought against oppressive regimes.
He urged the new generation to stand against any distortion of Lalon’s teachings.
He highlighted that the idea that intoxicants are consumed at these shrines is a misconception and urged the authorities to take legal action against those who spread such misinformation.
He held the Lalon Academy responsible for protecting the true essence of Lalon’s teachings and addressing the challenges faced by shrines across the country.
Mazhar further said that the core of Lalon's teachings revolves around contemplation, emphasizing that Lalon's followers focus solely on devotion to humanity rather than indulging in substances.
He called for a departure from misconceptions and said that the true 'intoxication' should be that of wisdom, contemplation, and humaneness, leading to self-enlightenment.
He also appealed to the Ministry of Culture to allow the Fakirs to manage the Lalon Academy themselves, as it is their rightful domain.
The three-day event was inaugurated on Thursday night by Farida Akhtar, advisor to the interim government’s Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
The official proceedings of the death anniversary will conclude at midnight on Saturday.
It is worth mentioning that on the 1st of Kartik, 1890, Fakir Lalon, the spiritual mystic of the subcontinent, passed away in Chheuriya village of Chapra Union, Kumarkhali Upazila, Kushtia.
Since then, his followers have continued to remember their Sai Ji at the Akhra Bari premises.
The Lalon Academy organizes two memorial festivals each year at its premises in Chheuriya.
