Shrine of Lalon Shah
Although Baulism originated from the second half of the 18th century, it was popularized by the Baul emperor mystic Guru Lalon Fakir. Baul emperor Lalon Fakir was able to create a distinct religion of Baul concept.
Lalon was a Hindu. She got married at a young age. After marriage, he started his journey in Srikshetra. On his way back, when he contracted smallpox, his companions left him in the middle of the road and spread the news of his death. A childless palanquin bearer named Siraj Shah picked up Lalon from the path and healed him.
When Lalon returned home, he was not allowed to go home as he had eaten Muslim rice. His wife also denies the expatriate husband. Seeing no change, Lalon returned to his patron Siraj Shah and accepted him as his guru.
After completing his pilgrimage in 1823, Lalon married a Muslim woman in Seoria village of Kumarkhali in Kushtia and settled there permanently. After Lalon’s death in 1890, he was buried here. Which is now widely known as Lalon Shah Mazar.
When I got on the bus at Gabtoli terminal with Lalon Shah’s shrine in front of my destination, it was 3 minutes to 5 o’clock. After leaving the bus, a consolation came, let’s go. I get on the bus and think to myself, get off at Kushtia, first the hotel, then rest, eat and drink, then sleep. The next morning goes straight to Sanji’s shrine. Then … the shrine of Lalon Shah. 
Before going to the premises of his shrine, Lalon’s song was played in his mind. Then one by one I couldn’t help but sing. After a while, when I reached Savar, there was a lot of traffic noise and that busy picture again. Lalon’s song was lost for a while.
The plaque of the National Memorial was seen a little further after the traffic jam was cleared. The bus was speeding due to the fact that the road across Manikganj was a bit empty.
At this time, the wind was blowing through the window of the bus and the two eyes were closed as soon as it hit the body. I am at Paturia Ghat as soon as I open my eyes. The conductor said it would take 10 minutes, another passenger said 15 more minutes.
Then the ferry started moving through the middle of the Padma. I got off the bus and went to the audience cabin on the third floor of the ferry. Sitting on the third floor, the devastating Padma looks quite good.
It is a wonderful moment when the setting sun sets. I came to Kushtia and stayed in a hotel. The use of the hotel manager was very good. He also entertained the reporter by raising a cup of tea. After spending the night, after breakfast, go straight to Sanji’s shrine by rickshaw.
I went down in front of the shrine gate and noticed a small market on the right side. Ektara, Dotara, a combination of folk instruments in almost all the shops. I was wondering if I should buy something first. In the end, I decided to go to Guru’s shrine first and then go shopping.
As soon as he entered the shrine premises through the gate, a sense of self-respect was working in him. All around is clean and tidy. In front of the shrine where the mystic devotee Guru Lalon Saiji is lying in eternal sleep. Some more tombs. Several Lalonbhaktas tasted it. They go with the bounties they get from the visitors.
Wherever I went I found out this entertainment is on the ground floor of the auditorium. Upstairs is the main room of the auditorium. Occasionally there are various events here. The auditorium is quite improved. There are a library and museum next door. The museum has a monograph used by Lalon Fakir along with specimens of several folk collections. Affordable handicraft items also increased the interest in shopping.
Written by: Bondhon Biswas
