The Sylheti Heritage Collection brings readers to the heart of Sylhet and the heart of its people: the Mazaar Sharif of the revered Sufi saint Hazrat Shahjalal.

According to tradition, Hazrat Shahjalal travelled from the region of present‑day Turkey in search of a land that matched a handful of soil placed in his palm by his uncle—a sign of where his spiritual mission would unfold. His journey led him to Sylhet, where he arrived in 1303 with 360 companions he met along the way.

He came seeking justice, and with him came the teachings of Sufism, which took root and flourished across the region. Shahjalal never returned to Turkey; he lived his adult life in Sylhet, and it is here—at the Mazaar Sharif, known locally as the Dorga—that he remains.

This volume focuses on the Lakri Tura, the traditional wood‑cutting ceremony held in commemoration of Hazrat Shahjalal’s passing. It is written for those who have never witnessed the ritual, those planning to visit, and those who have visited but did not have the chance to take part.

A bridge between generations, this book preserves one of Sylhet’s most meaningful traditions and invites readers to reconnect with a heritage that continues to shape Sylheti identity.

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Review of Lakri Tura – Sylheti Heritage Collection

A rare visual and cultural documentation of one of Sylhet’s most significant Sufi commemorative rituals.

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Lakri Tura – Sylheti Heritage Collection is a focused and culturally rich volume dedicated to the Lakri Tura, the traditional wood‑cutting ceremony held annually in honour of Hazrat Shah Jalal, the revered Sufi saint of Sylhet. Published by MA Publisher and authored by Mayar Akash, the book is part of the broader Sylheti Heritage Collection, which aims to make Sylheti cultural knowledge accessible—especially to younger generations and the diaspora.

The Lakri Tura is a ritual deeply embedded in Sylheti identity, yet rarely documented in English. This book fills that gap with clarity and purpose.

Historical and Cultural Significance

1. A Ritual Rooted in Devotion

The Lakri Tura marks the beginning of the Urus—the annual commemoration of Hazrat Shah Jalal’s passing. The ceremony involves gathering and cutting wood, symbolising communal preparation, service, and remembrance. It is one of the oldest living traditions connected to the saint’s legacy.

2. A Bridge Between Generations

The Sylheti Heritage Collection was created to provide accessible cultural knowledge for British‑born Sylhetis and anyone seeking to understand Sylheti identity. Lakri Tura plays a crucial role in this mission by documenting a ritual that many diaspora families have heard of but never witnessed.

3. Preservation of Intangible Heritage

By capturing the ceremony in book form, the author preserves a tradition that is often transmitted orally or through lived experience. This makes the volume valuable not only as cultural documentation but also as a heritage preservation tool.

🎓 Scholarly Value

This book is particularly useful for:

• Researchers of Sufism and South Asian Islamic practices
• Anthropologists studying ritual, memory, and community cohesion
• Diaspora studies scholars examining cultural transmission
• Students of Sylheti heritage and identity

Its strength lies in its visual and descriptive clarity, offering a rare English‑language resource on a ritual seldom covered in academic literature.

Strengths

• Unique subject matter: Few publications document the Lakri Tura ritual.
• Accessible language: Designed for general readers, including young people.
• Diaspora relevance: Helps reconnect British‑Bangladeshis with cultural roots.
• Part of a coherent heritage series, adding contextual depth.

Conclusion

Lakri Tura – Sylheti Heritage Collection is a valuable and culturally significant contribution to the documentation of Sylheti Sufi traditions. By focusing on the Lakri Tura ceremony—an essential yet under‑documented ritual—the book preserves a living heritage for future generations.

It succeeds in its mission: to educate, reconnect, and honour the cultural memory of Sylhet, making it an essential resource for diaspora families, heritage enthusiasts, and anyone seeking to understand the spiritual traditions surrounding Hazrat Shah Jalal.