Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has said that around 10 to 12 lakh people attended this year’s Lalon Festival in Kushtia, citing district administration figures.

In a Facebook post on Monday, he said the massive turnout might make it “the biggest cultural festival in our history.”

“Lalon is deeply rooted in our culture, and probably the biggest cultural ambassador for Bangladesh,” he wrote on Monday.

The annual Lalon Festival, commemorating the 135th death anniversary of Baul saint Fakir Lalon Shah, drew an unprecedented number of devotees, artists, and visitors this year in both Kushtia and Dhaka.

According to the Kushtia district administration, around 10 to 12 lakh people attended the three-day celebration in Cheuriya, the spiritual abode of Lalon, making it one of the largest cultural gatherings in Bangladesh’s history.

From October 17 to 19, the Lalon Akhra in Cheuriya resonated with Baul songs, philosophical discussions, and spiritual exchanges, as devotees and followers gathered to honour the mystic bard.

Renowned Baul singers including Tun Tun Baul, Sunil Karmakar, Rowshan Fakir, and Latif Shah, along with numerous other artists from across the country, performed at the festival, filling the air with the melodies of Lalon’s timeless songs.

Simultaneously, a Lalon Festival was also held in Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on October 18, where performances were presented by Emon Chowdhury and Bengal Symphony, Lalon Band, Nirob & Bauls, Pathik Nabi, Suchona Shely, Baula Band, Arup Rahee, Somogeet, and several other musicians and groups.

The massive attendance at both the Kushtia and Dhaka events highlighted the enduring appeal of Lalon’s philosophy of humanity, equality, and spirituality, reaffirming his profound influence as a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s intangible cultural heritage.