The annual festival ‘Rash Mela’ at Dublar Char in the Sundarbans is now open to tourists of all religions.
The festival had been restricted to Hindus for the past four years to protect the region’s delicate biodiversity.
Tour operators have already introduced various packages to facilitate visits to the Rash Mela.
The forest department has designated five water routes for devotees heading to Dublar Char in the Sundarbans to participate in the Rash Mela scheduled for November
14 to 16.
The routes are- from Burigoalini-Kobadak rivers to Dublar Char via Batulanadi-Balnadi-Patkoshta-Hongshoraj, from Koyra-Kashiabad-Khashitana-Bojboja to Dublar Char via Arua Shibsa-Shibsa river-Marjat, from Naliyan Station to Dublar Char via Shibsa-Marjat river, from Dangmari-Chandpai station via Teenkona Dwip to Dublar Char, and Bogi-Baleswar-Supoti-Kachikhali station to Dublar Char crossing Shelar Char.
The Hindu devotees intending to participate in Rash Purnima Puja (Holy Bath) will have to pay an entry fee and no one will be allowed to move during the night time, said forest officials.
Boats, launches and trawlers will go to the festival area through the forest department checkpoints. The devotees were also requested to keep necessary live jackets or boyas at their water vessels.
Mihir Kumar Doe, Conservator of Forest of Khulna zone, said special security measures will be taken at Alorkol in Dublar Char near the Sundarbans ahead of the Rash Purnima puja (Holy Bath).
The authorities also have imposed a ban on carrying all kinds of meat, except chicken, fireworks and explosives, any domestic weapons and firearms.
Nazmul Alam David, general secretary of the Sundarbans Tour Operators Association, said that the forest department has agreed to allow tourists to visit the festival on tour boats, similar to regular tourist trips.
On November 14, the journey will commence at dusk. Boat routes designated for Rash Purnima and Purnya Snan can only operate during daylight hours.
Launches, trawlers, and boats cannot stop anywhere except at designated Forest Department checkpoints. Each boat must be equipped with the necessary number of life jackets or buoys.
Each visitor will receive a ticket or token upon entering the Sundarbans. This token must be carried at all times while inside the forest.
All launches, boats, and trawlers must report to the control room at Alorkol. Failure to do so may result in legal action.
The use and carrying of explosives and firearms are strictly prohibited during the Rash Purnima and Purnya Snan. Possession of any illegal firearms, explosives, hunting traps, ropes, axes, saws, or similar items will lead to legal action.
Single-use plastics, such as plastic plates, water bottles, glasses, or spoons, are strictly forbidden.
Noise pollution, including loud music, firecrackers, and bets, is prohibited on launches, trawlers, boats, and bathing areas.
Devotees must present their original National Identity Card or a certificate from the local UP chairman upon entering the Sundarbans.
The Sundarbans West Forest Department urges all devotees to adhere to these guidelines.
Approximately 50,000 people from various regions, including Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat, gather at Dublar Char during the Rasmela every year. Unfortunately, this event often leads to widespread deer hunting, which the Forest Department struggles to control due to limited manpower. To mitigate this issue, the department has restricted access to the Rash Mela to the Hindu community since 2022.
