Ras mela kicks off at Kuakata today

The 150-year-old traditional Ras Mela, a dance festival attracting people of different communities in the southern region of the country, will begin at Kuakata beach today.

Thousands of people have gathered there to celebrate the three-day-long festival.

A good number of tourists will also gather at the beach on the occasion. The fair will end on Friday morning, said Bipul Halder, president of Kuakata Ras Mela Udjapan Committee.

The devotees take a dip in the water of the Bay at dawn after the full moon, believing that the holy bath will wipe out all their sins.

People irrespective of faith and profession join the biggest celebration in the area every year. The fair will also begin at Dubler Char in the Sundarbans at the same time.

As many as 17 idols of Sri Krishna, a god of Hindu community, has already been installed at a temporary mandap in the beach.

Various programmes including kirton and religious discussion will be held marking the celebration.

Patuakhali district and Kalapara upazila administration have already made preparations to celebrate the festival.

Police, Rab, tourist police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed in the area to avert any trouble, said Md Mizanur Rahman, OC of Mohipur Police Station.

Adequate security measures have been taken for safety of the devotees and tourists during the festival, he said.