<i>Ras Mela festival in Kuakata concludes</i>
Following nightlong rituals in Kuakata beach on the occasion of Ras Purnima, devotees take bath in the sea with hope to cleanse of their sins, right, prayers being offered at the sea beach during sunrise yesterday.Photo: STAR
Ras Mela, the biggest festival of the Hindu community in the south concluded yesterday. The three-day celebrations began Friday with devotees taking a dip in the Bay at dawn after the full moon, known as Ras Purnima. The devotees believe that the bath would wipe out all their sins. People irrespective of faith and profession joined the occasion in Kuakata sea beach area. The mela was also celebrated at Dublar Char in the Sundarbans at the same time. During the festival people of Hindu community participated in various activities like kirton, religious discussion, puja of Lord Krisna and Radha and bathing in the Bay. A lot of tourists also gathered at the sea beach to enjoy the 150-year-old Mela. Bipul Howlader, president of Ras Utsab Udjapon Committee said, "We organise the function every year to honour the great love of Radha and Krisna. The function has gained heritage status in the area and helped make Kuakata famous." Devotee Mahua said, "I came here from Faridpur to enjoy the festival." Shishil Karmaker, who joined the festival with his wife Champa Rani, said, "It is a part of our religion. We offered our prayers to god and we believe that bathing in the Bay has wiped out all our sins." At least 15 pairs of idols were set up at the temporary altar at the sea beach. Devotees from across the country offered their prayers there. Cultural functions continued for full nights at the site. Marking the festival, a 5-day fair began from Saturday at Modon Mohon Snehashrom in Kalapara upazila town. Till filing this report yesterday evening, Kuakata sea beach was full of tourists. Thousands from home and abroad have flocked there to enjoy the Ras Mela. All hotels, motels and tourist lodges were packed with visitors. The administration took adequate security and safety measures through deployment of police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in strategic points including the sea beach and tourist zones.
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