Historic Sholakia Eidgah hosts 199th Eid congregation

Hundreds of thousands of worshippers gathered at the historic Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj on Saturday to offer Eid-ul-Fitr prayers, marking the 199th Eid congregation at the site.

The main prayer began at 10:00am, led by Mufti Abul Khair Muhammad Saifullah. After the prayers, special supplications were offered for global peace, the welfare of the Muslim Ummah, and the prosperity of Bangladesh, as well as in remembrance of the martyrs and injured of 1971 and 2024.

From 7:00am, the Sholakia area of Kishoreganj city was secured under tight security. Law enforcement agencies established a four-tier security cordon, and items such as umbrellas, sticks, lighters, and fireworks were prohibited inside the grounds. Every worshipper was screened with metal detectors before entering.

Following tradition, gunfire signals were used to mark the start of the prayer: three shots 15 minutes before, two shots 10 minutes before, and one shot five minutes prior to the congregation, coordinated by the district police.

Devotees began arriving at the Eidgah, located on the banks of the Narsunda River, from the early hours. Roads leading to the ground were filled with worshippers, and traffic was temporarily suspended in several areas to facilitate smooth access. The seven-acre ground was filled to capacity nearly an hour before the prayer. Many attendees performed prayers from nearby streets, vacant lots, riverbanks, or rooftops due to the large turnout.

Separate arrangements were made for women at the Sarjubala Government Girls’ High School field, where a large number of female worshippers participated.

Before the prayer, local dignitaries including Kishoreganj-6 MP and State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam, Kishoreganj-1 MP Mohammad Mazharul Islam, Deputy Commissioner and Eidgah Committee President Mohammad Aslam Molla, and District Council Administrator Khaled Saifullah Sohel addressed the devotees, extending Eid greetings and pledging better arrangements in the future.

District authorities estimate that over 200,000 worshippers participated in the congregation. Special trains were arranged to facilitate travel, with one departing Bhairab at 6:00 am arriving in Kishoreganj by 8:00 am, and another leaving Mymensingh at 6:15 am and reaching by 8:30 am, returning after prayers.

Sholakia Eidgah, covering around seven acres, is one of South Asia’s largest Eidgah grounds. Its historical significance dates back to the Mughal era, when the land collected revenue amounting to “sh lakh” (equivalent to one crore today). In 1828, over 125,000 worshippers gathered here for Eid prayers, establishing Sholakia as a central venue for Eid congregations in Bangladesh.