Nazmul Islam, Sharankhola/ Bagerhat/ Representative/

The three-day Ras festival of Lord Krishna has started from Sunday at Dublar Char in East Sundarbans. Like every year, on the occasion of Ras Purnima, a three-day long traditional ‘Ras Purnima Puja and Punyasnan’ is being held at Dublar Char in Sundarbans from November 6 to 8.

According to Forest Department sources, the Forest Department has designated five waterways for Ras Purnima puja and safe passage of pilgrims and visitors. The five routes scheduled are-1/ Sarankholar Bagi-Baleshwar-Supati-Kachikhali-Shelar Char 2/ Koira, Kashiabad, Khasitana, Bajbaja to Arua Shibsa, then Shibsa Nadi-Marjat to Dublar Char 3/ Nalian Station via Sibsa-Marjat River to Dublar Char 4/ Dublar Char via Dhangmari or Chandpai Station-Tinkona Island 5/ Dublar Char via Burigoalini, Kobadak, Batulandi-Bal River-Patkosta Canal via Hansraj River.

Religious devotees go to the fair through five paths inside the forest by paying the prescribed fee of the forest department. Meanwhile, strict security measures have been taken in the entire Sundarbans around Ras Mela.

Mihir Kumar Dey, Conservator of Forests (CF) of Khulna region of Sundarbans said, like every year, pilgrims will not be allowed to collect firewood from Sundarbans this year as well. Have to collect and carry your own fuel. Carrying any kind of meat is also prohibited.

Strict measures have also been taken to ensure that the pilgrims do not destroy any forest resources. Strict security measures have been taken to ensure that no one can poach deer from the forest during the fair. Special team of forest department has started working in important places of Sundarbans to prevent deer poaching. Apart from this, the smart patrol team of the forest department will also perform round-the-clock duty. Three more patrolling teams of the forest department will provide round-the-clock security on the three days of the fair at Dublar Char.

President of Ras Utsav Implementation Committee. Kamal Uddin said, to avoid corona infection, Ras festival has been organized on a very small scale. Hopefully, this year with everyone’s cooperation we will complete this festival properly.’