Three-day ‘Pagaler Mela’ begins in Kushtia’s Cheuria with Baul Emperor Lalon Shah’s darshan

POBNEWS24, KUSHTIA Oct 18, 2026 – ‘How can a strange bird enter a cage?’ ‘If you worship people, you will become a golden man’ – embodying this eternal philosophy of Baul Emperor Lalon Shah, a three-day Lalon Memorial Festival, Sadhur Haat and traditional rural fair, known to devotees as ‘Pagaler Mela’, began on Saturday at the shrine of Baul Emperor Fakir Lalon Shah in Cheuria, Kumarkhali Upazila, Kushtia, Bangladesh. The festival, organized to mark the 136th death anniversary of Lalon Shah, will continue until Monday. The event has been organized by the Lalon Academy in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Kushtia District Administration.
Lalon’s humanist philosophy, non-communal spirit and mystical music have attracted saints, fakirs, Bauls and countless devotees from different parts of the country to Cheuria. In addition to Bangladesh, Lalon followers have come from various countries including Italy, France and India. With their presence, the shrine premises have become a gathering place for devotees from home and abroad.
A festive atmosphere has been created in the Akhrabari and surrounding areas around the festival. Lalandham has become bustling with gatherings of saints, discussions and Lalon music. Various products have been set up at the rural fair.
Lalon’s philosophy calls for loving people, forgetting the differences of caste, religion and color. The message of self-discovery, human love and harmony that has spread through his songs and sadhana still attracts people today. Devotees from home and abroad flock to Cheuria every year due to the pull of that philosophy.
This three-day event is not just a memorial festival; A unique opportunity to get acquainted with Lalon’s human religion, mystical practices and non-communal spirit.
The chief guest of the event was Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury. The Prime Minister’s Advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman was present as the guest of honor.
The event was presided over by Kushtia Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate and President of Lalon Academy Towhid Bin-Hasan.
In his speech as the chief guest, Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury extended heartfelt greetings to Lalon devotees and devotees on behalf of the Prime Minister. He said, Lalon devotees have been embracing Lalon philosophy and practices for generations. Lalon’s philosophy teaches us humanity, equality, non-communalism and harmony.
Nitai Roy Chowdhury mentioned the initiative to establish ‘Lalon Nagari’ in Kushtia and said that this region will be made more attractive to people from home and abroad by focusing on the memory and philosophy of Lalon.
He highlighted the various initiatives of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to encourage local sports, folk culture and traditional events, including boat racing on the Gorai-Madhumati rivers.
One of the attractions of the inaugural day was the Lalon Sangeet event held at 5 pm. Visitors enjoyed Lalon songs sung by artists from different parts of the country. The Lalon Mela has been held at the Lalon Akharabari in Chheuria, Kushtia for ages due to its long tradition and passion. In addition to the devotees and followers of the Baul emperor, people of various classes and professions from different parts of the country participated in this fair. The Lalon Academy premises became bustling with Baul songs, Ektaara melodies and the gathering of devotees and fans. “How does a strange bird come into a cage?” – Lalon’s arena has become filled with such mystical songs exploring the mysteries of the body, mind, and soul.