Ras Purnima ends with a holy bath in Sagarkanya Kuakata

Gangasnan, bath in the sea marks the ned of the Rash Festival in Kuakata.

Patuakhali: After a sleepless night, thousands of traditional men and women completed their holy bath on the beach of Kuakata, the daughter of the sea, as soon as the sun rose on the full moon day. On Wednesday morning, before the holy bath, some lit candles and incense sticks on the beach and recited the Gita and Chandi loudly in the hope of gaining merit. Others offered bell leaves, flowers, rice, durba, haritaki, daub, banana, oil, and vermilion to the sea water. At this time, the entire beach became filled with the sound of the traditional women's ulu. Others shaved their heads, performed penance, and offered pinda. However, this year the fair was not held on the beach. Earlier, the traditionalists performed puja, musical performances, and chanted Mahanaam at the Kuakata Sri Sri Radhakrishna Temple all night long.

The festival will begin with ablutions on Tuesday (November 4) evening and end with a dip in the sea on Thursday (November 5) morning. Along with the throng of pilgrims to participate in the Ras Puja, there was a noticeable influx of tourists. Strict vigil is being maintained by the law enforcement agencies to ensure smooth conduct of the festival.

Parimal Chandra Das, who came to Kuakata for a holy bath, said, "I have passed this year amidst various problems. I have come to Kuakata for a holy bath with the desire to spend the coming days well. I feel good about myself for being able to perform the religious rituals properly."

Govinda Chandra Baral entered the sea and started chanting something in his mind. After a while, he took water from the sea with both hands and poured it on the heads and necks of his wife and son. In this way, various rules and rituals of the devotees were observed. Some made vows for themselves, others for their heavenly parents, and sat on the sand of the beach and shaved their heads.

A devotee named Bhakta Das said, "My father passed away a few months ago. I made a vow in his name. He said that he kept his vow by shaving his head during Ras Puja on the day of Purnima."

Kuakata Ras Puja and Punyasnan Celebration Committee President Kajal Baran Das said, "Like every year, this year too, we have organized a night-long religious musical performance called Krishna's Name Yajna on the occasion of Ras Puja. In the morning, men and women of traditional faith from different parts of the country participated in the event in the hope of merit. However, the devotees have completed their bath beautifully on the full moon day. This Ras Mela will continue for four more days in Kalapara."

Kalapara UNO and Member Secretary of Kuakata Beach Management Committee Kausar Hamid said, "We have taken up various arrangements on the occasion of Ras. To provide a little different entertainment than usual, we have expanded the market, arranged separate mobile toilets, changing rooms, etc. That is why this time every pilgrim and visitor celebrated this event. The Ras Mela will continue for 4 more days in Kalapara. We are in the field until this event is completely over. - Gofran Palash