A massive gathering of about 600,000 worshippers attended the 199th Eid-ul-Fitr congregation at the historic Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj on Saturday, local officials said, in what is believed to be the largest turnout at the site in recent memory.

The main prayer, held at 10 am, was led by Mufti Abul Khayer Mohammad Saifullah, the khatib of Kishoreganj’s Boro Bazar Jame Masjid.

That turnout, officials said, exceeded expectations. Mohammad Aslam Mollah, the district administrator and president of the Sholakia Eidgah management committee, said: “This was the largest gathering of worshippers in living memory. The administration ensured comprehensive security measures, allowing the congregation to proceed peacefully.”

The congregation drew worshippers not only from Kishoreganj’s upazilas but also from the greater Mymensingh region and other districts across the country. Many spent the night before Eid in the open field, at relatives’ homes or in local mosques.

The ground had filled to capacity by morning. Those unable to find space offered prayers in rows on surrounding roads, building rooftops and along the banks of the Narsunda river.

In keeping with tradition, the signal for worshippers to line up was given by firing blank shots from shotguns — five rounds 15 minutes before the prayer, three rounds five minutes before, and two rounds one minute before.

After the prayer, a supplication was offered for peace and progress in the country, the wider Muslim community and particularly for Muslims in Palestine.

Among those present were State Minister for Jute and Textiles Shariful Alam and Kishoreganj-1 MP Majharul Islam.

Kamrul Hasan Maruf, the upazila nirbahi officer and member-secretary of the Eidgah management committee, said the congregation concluded without any incident. “The crowd was far larger than anticipated, but adequate security arrangements ensured a smooth and peaceful gathering,” he said.

Local lore ties the name Sholakia to a Mughal-era revenue assessment of one and a quarter lakh (125,000) taka. A separate account holds that 125,000 worshippers gathered for Eid prayers at the site in 1828, a tradition that has seen hundreds of thousands attend each Eid in the years since.