Ras festival concludes with Kuakata sea bathing amid security

Ras festival celebrated in Kuakata

Patuakhali: The main festivities of Ras festival ended in Kuakata with a rejuvenating bath under the security of law and order forces.

Today, Tuesday (08 November) at 5:30 am, Hindu devotees bathed in the Ganges in the Kuakata sea hoping to get rid of all worldly sins.

Traditional women offer candles, agarbatis, betel leaves, flowers, paddy, durba, haritaki, dab, banana, oil and vermilion to the sea water before bathing. At this time, the whole beach became excited with chanting and reciting mantras. Apart from this, many devotees perform penance and pendana along with shaving their heads. Prior to this, Sanatan devotees performed puja, musical performances and Mahanam Kirtan at Kuakata Sri Sri Radhakrishna Temple throughout the night.

Earlier, Md Muhibbur Rahman Mohib, member of the Standing Committee on Defense Ministry of National Parliament and Member of Parliament for Patuakhali 4 constituencies, inaugurated the festival on Monday evening. At that time top officials of district  administration and upazila administration and Awami League leaders were present. After the inauguration, mesmerizing musical performances by renowned artistes on the event stage delighted the audience. Later, the main religious festival begins with the abode and ends with a sea bath on Tuesday morning.

Raas Puja Organizing Committee Coordinator Bipul Chandra Howladar said, they will light lamps on the beach and sit in prayer, the pilgrims are engrossed in worshiping the blue lotus and Goddess Ganga with Krishna Puja in front of the ocean.

Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Additional Superintendent of Police, Kalapara Circle, said, "We were strict in security as per the instructions of the higher authorities, focusing on the traditional Ras festival. We had about 443 law enforcement personnel deployed. Even though Ras mela formalities are over today morning, we will maintain security till evening.' - Gofran Biswas Palash