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Gangasagar fair
Over two lakh devotees gather for Gangasagar fair at the Sagar
Island in West Bengal on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on January 14,
2012 to take a dip in the River Ganga where it flows out into
the Bay of Bengal About 150 km from Kolkata in South 24-Parganas district, this island is
considered auspicious by the Hindus, who gather here on Makar Sankranti, which is annually celebrated January 14, for a holy dip and to pray by
offering coconuts at the Kapil Muni temple. The devout believe that a single dip in the sacred water washes off sins
of one's lifetime. This year (2012), the pilgrims will take the holy dip on Sunday (15th January, 2012) too.
On the orders of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure peaceful
conduct of the fair, as many as four state ministers, including Tourism
Minister Rachpal Singh, are at the island supervising arrangements. "Already eight ministers in the state have visited the Gangasagar Mela
site to ensure proper arrangement and security measures. Four of them will stay there with specific duties assigned to them," Banerjee had
said. Banerjee has also abolished pilgrim tax, levied earlier on those who visited the fair.
Gangasagar fair is the second largest congregation of mankind after the holy
Kumbh Mela. Gangasagar fair and pilgrimage is
held annually on the Sagar Island’s southern tip in the Ganges delta atop the Bay of Bengal. That makes Gangasagar all the more distinctive.
Lakhs of devotees thronged the 1,500-metre stretch on the Sagar Island at the confluence of the river
Hooghly and the Bay of Bengal for a holy dip with songs in praise of Mother Ganga. For the devotees this
pilgrimage is the gateway to moksha [Salvation]. Hundreds of sadhus, some smeared with ash and some with vermillion and
sandalwood paste, started preparing for the day-long rituals, performing yogasanas and various mudras in the long row of tents lined near the
Kapil Muni temple.
Kapil Muni temple
Sagar Island
(Gangasagar)
Sagar Island is about 80 km south of Kolkata, cut off from the main land
by Muriganga river. The island is large —
with an area of around 300 km.. It has 43 villages and a population of
over 160,000. At present there is no road bridge to connect the island to the main land. The Muriganga river can be crossed by ferry
service to reach the Sagar Island. After crossing, the confluence of Sagar (bay of Bengal) and Ganga can be reached via
private taxis to reach the confluence area from Kachuberia. |
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