“Rash Mela” is the 200-years-old Traditional religious event honoring the Hindu God Lord Krishna which is held at Dubla island. Dubla island stands on the Bay of Bengal and is a part of the Sundarban Forest. Every year it’s held on “Rash Purnima” (Rash Full Moon), which was 1st of November. This date varies year-to-year depending of the lunar cycle determined by the Hindu astrologers. The fair on the Dubla island was started in 1923 by Hari Bhajan, a disciple of Thakur Hari Chand, The life of Hari Bhajan was very extraordinary. During his stay in Sundarbans for twenty four years, he lived on the fruits of the forest. He had many disciples in nearby villages. One of his notable works was to start the Dubla Rash Mela during the Rash Purnima, devotees seat on the bank of the sea with Foods & fruits, they pray to god until these foods & fruits washed away by tide. To celebrate the occasion and keep alive the memory of Thakur Hari Chand, the devotees, especially the fishermen of the Sundarbans, organize this religious event.
