Foreigners in Ganga Sagar

Journey to Ganga Sagar 2021 for Holy Bath

The Sagar island which is called Ganga Sagar is a holy place for thousands of Hindu pilgrimage. In Makar Sankranti, Approx, 5 - 6 Lac people of Hindu pilgrimage gathered here for a holy bath in a small place. There is Proverbs in Bengali that is "Sab Tirths Bar Bar Ganga Sagar ak Bar" which means "All-holy places many times but Ganga Sagar one time". It was said like this because in the past time lots of people were lost and died in Ganga Sagar Yatra. So, it was a very difficult pilgrimage site.

 

Why people gather in Ganga Sagar in Makar Sankranti? or What is the Importance of Ganga Sagar or the Story of Ganga Sagar?

As per mythology, 

Kardam Muni made a pact with Lord Vishnu if he agrees to come to earth as a son of Kardam Muni then he will undergo the rigors of marital life. So, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Kapil muni as a son of  Kardam Muni and became a great saint.  

Kapil Muni

One day, King's sacrificial horse was disappeared which was stolen by Indra. So, the king sends his sons to find it. Horses were found in Kapil Muni's ashram where Indra kept these horses.

So king's son mistakenly accused Kapil muni of this. So, in wrath and anger, Kapil Muni burns the sons and sends them to hell.  Later Kapil Muni accepted the prayers of King Sagar's descendants and agreeing to the restoration of the sons, only if Parvati in the form of the river goddess Ganga would descend to Earth to perform the "Tarpan" (mixing the ashes with holy water).

Kapil Muni's Asharam

So, Through deep meditation, King Bhagiratha induced Shiva to order Ganga for this.
So, Ma Ganga Came down from heaven in form of a river and freed (moksha) the sons and ascended to Heaven, but the river Ganges stayed on the Earth. The date of the descent of Ganga was the date of Makar Sankranti.

How To reach Ganga Sagar?

To reach Ganga Sagar via Public Transport, first, have to reach Kakdwip via train(Up to Namkhan then BUS) or bus. The distance between Kolkata and Kakdip is approx 85KM. After riching Kakdwip has to take the ferry to cross the Ganga. The ferry takes approx 30minutes to cross and 1 hour in total. From there you will find buses and a small car to reach Ganga Sagar. The distance between Sagar ghat and Ganga Sagar is 25 Km. 

Ganga between Sagar Island and Kakdwip

Should I visit Ganga Sagar in Makar Sankranti?

As per my suggestion, you should not instead of this you can go a week earlier because during Makar Sankranti you will not find a proper place to stay, you have to stay in a small cottage of Hogla leaves and where even you will not find a proper toilet.

So How should I see Ganga Sagar Mela?

Please plan such a way you should have not to stay there. So, reach there in the morning and return back in the afternoon to Kakdwip. This will be the best way to visit Ganga Sagar Mela.

Where Should I stay in Ganga Sagar?

In Sagar, there are no hotels. There are 2-3 places where people can stay that is Bharat Seva Ashram and Ganga Sagar Hostel. Bharat Seva Ashram is such a large place where they have good accommodation for more than 5k people but when I was there approx 2 weeks earlier from Makar Sankranti I saw they are making large numbers of Hogla cottage  So they can accommodate 10k - 15k people. The rent of a normal room in Bharat Seva Ashram  2 weeks earlier Rs.500 for 4 people.

How long Should I stay in Ganga Sagar?

Ganga is not a large place so day1 to reach and day 2 to return is enough time for Ganga Sagar.

Ganga Sagar Snan

Ferry Crossing from Kakdwip to Ganga Sagar

Thamel Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Festival_bath.jpg