Gangasagar or Sagar Island is an island in the Ganges delta, lying on the continental shelf of Bay of Bengal about 100 kms south of Kolkata. It is a perfect place to visit for a nature lover as well as for pilgrimage.
From Kolkata, Diamond Harbour Road (NH-12) runs south around 90 km to Harwood Point, near Kakdwip, where a ferry runs to Kachuberia at the north end of the Gangasagar. The Panchyat Samity maintains a parking area near the ferry landing. The ferry travels about 3.5 km across a distributary of the Ganges river (also known as Hooghly River or Muriganga river locally) to reach Kachuberia. Small boats also cross from Harwood Point to Kachuberia. Private cars and buses travel the roughly 32 km to the pilgrimage site at Gangasagar. From the pilgrimage parking area the Kapil Muni Temple is about 200 meters and the Gangasagar confluence is about 700 meters.
A holy man, Kardam Muni, made a pact with Vishnu that he would undergo the rigours of marital life, on the condition that Vishnu would incarnate as his son. In due time Kapil Muni was born as an incarnation of Vishnu and became a great saint.
At the time, King Sagar was conducting a huge prosperous Ashwamedha Yaga to win over the world. Indra deva, the lord of heavens, stole the sacrificial horses and hastily tied them beside Kapil Muni’s Ashram out of jealousy.
On finding the horse in Kapil Muni’s Ashram, the king’s sons mistook Kapil Muni as the thief and blamed him for the same. Kapil Muni was infuriated with the false blame and cursed the boys for reducing into ashes. Later Bhagirathi, the only grandson of King Sagar, meditated for years convincing the holy river Ganga to flow down towards the Bay of Bengal over his ancestors’ cursed mortals to pour salvation to their souls.
SAB TIRTHA BAR BAR, GANGASAGAR EKBAR .
Gangasagar Mela is the second biggest pilgrimage gatherings in the world. Ganga Sagar Mela runs on the banks of ganga River for two months ( Ja-Feb) , pilgrims from all over the world gather to take a sacred dip in the holiness of River Ganga. The most significant day for the mela is scared occasion of Makar Sankranti (14th January), pilgrims takes dip in river bank and followed by a sacred pooja and offerings in the Kapil Muni Temple.
It has great significance in Hindu mythology , a dip in Gangotri Banks followed by offering puja in Kapil Muni Ashram , considered to be a great way to attend “Mokhsa” in post life. People from all over the world unite at the banks of the converging holy rivers the Ganges and Bay of Bengal to celebrate and indulge, transforming themselves into great souls of purity.
Spend a tranquil weekend enjoying the calm sea, breathtaking sunrise and sunsets ,silvery sand ,unexplored beach on the estuary of the river Ganges and clear blue sky at Gangasagar. Visit the Kapil Muni Temple and explore the legendary tale behind the place. Witness the grand celebration and enthusiasm of the Gangasagar Mela , one of the biggest pilgrimage fair, which is observed annually at Sagardwip. Every year during Makar Sankranti pilgrims from all over the country gather to take a holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganges and Bay of Bengal, followed by offering prayers at the Kapil Muni Temple. Gangasagar Mela is an important event for the entire nation.
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