Raas festival of the Hindu  community was held at the Kuakata Coast of Patuakhali. Photo: BSS

PATUAKHALI, Nov 5, 2025 (BSS) - The two-day Raas festival of the Hindu 
community was held at the Kuakata Coast of Patuakhali ended through an 
observance of religious rituals [Punya Snan] today.

Hindu devotees woke up and bathed in the water of Kuakata coast at about 
5:30am today with the hope of getting rid of all their sins.

The Hindu community has been observing the Raas Mela and bathe festival 
during the full moon at Kuakata Sea beach at least for two centuries.

This year, millions of people also participated in the festival and this 
religious festival became a universal reunion for the religious people living 
in the southern region.
 
The place teemed with floating lamps, candles, incense, leaves, flowers, 
rice, green grass, haritaki, green coconut, banana, palm and sindur while men 
and women wearing traditional dresses gathered in the coastal water for 
taking bath.

At this time, the entire beach area resounded to the chanting of mantras and 
recitation from the holy books.

Although the Raas festival ended at Kuakata coast today but the fair [Raas 
Mela] will continue for another five days at Sri Sri Madonmohan Sebashram in 
Kalapara, Patuakhali.

The local administration, Sebashram committee and different social bodies 
jointly organised this year's Raas festival, said organising committee vice-
president Narayan Chandra Hawlader.

Raas festival is one of the most important annual festivals in Hinduism.
Raas means eternal love from devotees for Almighty God.

A myth relates that Gopis' love towards Lord Krishna was so pure and strong 
that Kamdeva (the god of love) was invited to observe Raas Leela in 
Vrindavana on the Sharada Purnima (autumnal full moon).

According to Bhagavat Purana, Lord Krishna performed His Raas (divine 
pleasure) Leela (play or sport) with Gopis (devotees of Lord Krishna) in 
Vrindavana, a place adorned with the natural beauties of Heaven.