Content Details

1.1 Identification of the element

Social practices, rituals and festive events

1.2 Name of the element, as used by the community or group concerned

Rash Mela of Sunderban Forest

1.3 Short, maximally informative title (including indication of domain(s))

Rash Mela is a fair surrounding the worship of the Hindu Forest diety Bonbibi by the Hindu community

1.4 Community(ies)/group(s) that recognize the element as part of their cultural heritage

Hindu community and the fishing community of the coastal belt

1.5 Physical location(s) of the element/how often it is practiced

Alore Kole, Sunderban, Bagerhat, Khulna

1.6 Short description (max. 200words)

enjoy the festivity. Dubla Rash Mela is the biggest fair in not only Bagerhat, but also the entire Bangladesh. At the centre of the festival are twenty thousand temporary fishermen who are engaged in catching and drying fish on Dubla and nearby islands. In the Bangla month of Agrahayan every year, the fair continues for 5-7 days during full moon time. “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. Around 40-50 thousand people join the celebrations every year. Handicrafts and precious wooden items are put on sale.

1.7 Domain of the element (select one or more/suggest alternative domain)

Oral traditons and expressions
Performing arts
Social customs and traditions
Knowledge and practices related to nature and universe
Traditional craftsmanship

2. Characteristics of the element

2.1 Practitioners(s)/performer(s): roles, age, gender, social status, and/or professional category etc)

2.2 Other tradition bearers (individuals/groups and their roles)

2.3 Language(s), register(s), speech level(s) involved

2.4 Associated tangible elements ( if any)

2.5 Associated intangible elements (if any)

2.6 How are women and people of other genders associated with this ICH element

2.7 Division of labour during the practice of aforementioned ICH element

2.8 Customary practices governing access to the element or to aspects of it

2.9 Modes of transmission

2.10 Organizations concerned (non-governmental organizations and others)

3. State of the element (viability)

3.1 Threats to the enactment (if any)

3.2 Threats to the transmission (if any)

3.3 Threat to associated tangible elements and resources (if any)

3.4 Viability of associated intangible elements (if any)

3.5 Safeguarding measures in place (if any)

4. Data gathering/documentation, Consent and preparation of inventory entries

4.1 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying

4.2 Restrictions, if any, on use of data collected

5. Resource Person

5.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives

5.2 Date(s) and place(s) of data gathering

Date :
Place(s) :

6. Safeguarding techniques

6.1 Existing safeguarding techniques in the community for the safeguarding of the ICH element

6.2 Suggestions for safeguarding of the ICH element from the community

7. References to literature, discography, audiovisual materials or archives

7.1 References to/in literature

7.2 Audiovisual materials or archives

7.3 Discography or archives

8. Modalities for updating the information contained in the inventory entry

8.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives, who compiled the inventory entry

8.2 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying

8.3 Date of community consent to include the entry on an inventory

8.4 Present condition of the cultural element

9. Community suggestions

(a)Brief description of suggestions for safeguarding of the element by community members/experts/holders, if any

(b)Brief description of restrictions on use of data collected, if any