Ganga Sagar: A Picturesque Holy Destination

Wonderfully situated in the Sunderbans, West Bengal, the holy place of Ganga Sagar, also called Sagar Island, is a tourist destination ‘of a different kind’. A tour to this stunningly beautiful religious-cum-tourist-hotspot proves memorable offering the visitors the just right atmosphere for a nice, spiritually-moving and soul-stirring weekend.

Ganga Sagar has been a famous holy and cultural place since the ancient times. Legend has it that this is the very place where the ashes of the ancestors of Bhagiratha were purified by the holy waters of the Ganges. No surprise, this sacred spot enjoys a unique place in the hearts of the millions of devout Hindus and attracts all religiously and spiritually inclined Hindus from practically across the world.

The visitors to the holy destination of Sagar Island seek mukti (salvation) here. On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, sometime during winter (mid-January), pilgrims from across the country come together at Ganga Sagar to take a holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganga and the Bay of Bengal. Following the sacred dip, they offer 'Puja' at the ashram located nearby which is related with Kapil Muni - the celebrated sage of ancient times.

During the occasion a wonderful fair takes place at the spot. Known as Ganga Sagar Mela, or the Bathing Festival, this fair enjoys the distinction of being the largest fair in the entire West Bengal. It also happens to be the second biggest congregation of humanity after the world-renowned Kumbha Mela. The unique Bathing Festival signifies the occasion of sun making its foray into Capricorn and celebrates the liberation of man’s souls.

Other attractions of the Sagar Island include, Kapil Muni temple at South Sagar, Fairgrounds at South Sagar, Sea beach at South Sagar, Sagar Marine Park at South Sagar, Sagar Lighthouse and Port at Beguakhali, Ramkrisna Mission Ashram, Sushama Devichowdhurani Marine Biological Research Institute (SDMBRI) at Bamankhali, Chimaguri Mudflat -- the entry point to the Mangrove Forest, besides Wind Mills -- The Island receives its power from the wind energy.

Reaching There

Sagar Island is located 150 km away from Kolkata -- the state’s capital – which is well connected by rail, road and air. Coming back to Sagar Island, to make a pilgrimage to this one of the most visited tourist places in India one has hire boats or ferries that regularly ply between the island and the mainland.