3-day Rash Mela begins

The traditional three-day-long Rash Mela began on Sunday at Dublar Char near the Sundarbans. On the occasion of Rash Purnima, a traditional Puja and Punyasnan are organised by the Manipuri community of the area.

Every year during the full moon of the Bengali month of Kartik-Agrahayan, thousands of devotees and tourists flock to Rash Mela. Although it is mainly a festival of the Manipuri people, the Bengali Hindu community celebrates this festival as well.

Mihir Kumar Doe, Conservator of Forests (CF) of the Khulna region, said this year Sundarbans West Forest Division has fixed five routes for pilgrims to safely travel to this fair in Dublar Char. Patrolling teams of the Forest Department, Police and Coast Guard will be engaged in the security of pilgrims and visitors on these routes.

He further said the boat movement will be limited to daytime as an added safety precaution and water vessels will not be able to anchor down anywhere other than checking points.

The vessels must have BLC serial numbers painted on them and the captains should keep their tokens and tickets at hand while in the area. The use and carrying of any explosives and firearms are strictly prohibited during the festival.

Any illegal possession of firearms, explosives, deer traps, ropes, felling axes, and saws will be dealt with under the Forest Act. No plastic food plates can be carried on the trawler.

Any kind of noise pollution including playing music on microphones, and firecrackers will not be allowed in launches, trawlers, boats and bathing places. Pilgrims coming to Ras Purnima must carry the original copy of the National Identity Card or the citizenship certificate obtained from the Union Parishad Chairman while entering the Sundarbans.

Dr Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, Divisional Forest Officer of Sundarban West Forest Division, said a strict security zone has been created for the festival. Members of law and order forces including RAB will be engaged in round-the-clock patrolling.

Several teams will be working to conduct operations of the Western Forest Department regarding the safety of pilgrims coming for the festival.

The forest official also said that all kinds of assistance will be provided so that the pilgrims enjoy their journey.

There are varying opinions about the origin of this festival. Some believe that in 1923 Harivajan, a follower of a Hindu saint named Harichand started this festival. Since then the fair, locally known as Neel Komal Mela has been held at Dublar Char.

According to the local Hindus, the incarnation of Lord Krishna received the dream of absolution and auspiciousness on a full moon day and it is the origin of the Rash festival.

On the occasion of the Rash festival, various Puja will be held by the Bay of Bengal. Devotees will dive into the Bay as part of their pilgrimage.

Hindus visit the Rash Mela in the first hour of Purnima with the belief that their desires will be fulfilled and their sins will be forgiven by bathing in seawater, but over time this festival has spread to different religions and races.

Many foreigners also come to visit this traditional festival enriched with traditions.