The three-day traditional Raas Mela begins at Dublar Char Island near the Sundarbans today amid tight security.

Thousands of people, irrespective of their faith, throng the festival at Alorkol, which is located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Sharankhola upazila of the district.

The Forest Department has fixed eight waterways for devotees and visitors to go to Dublar Char to join the Raas Mela. No one will be allowed to take any route other than the permitted ones, said Divisional Forest Officer (East Range) of the Sundarbans Md Saiful Islam.

The forest officer also noted that everybody has to seek permission from the Forest Department before joining the fair and will have to pay Tk 50 to get it.

Besides, boats of different sizes will have to pay Tk 200-800 for transporting people to and from Raas Mela.