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Where it's at
Gangasagar is the popular name given to the point where
the Ganges drains out into the Bay of Bengal. Gangasagar is
located on the western edge of the Sunderban Delta
on Sagar Island. At the edge of Sagar town - adjacent
to the beach - is the colourful temple dedicated to Kapil
Muni, the sage responsible for initiating the chain of
events that ultimately resulted in the Ganges coming down
to earth from heaven and giving mankind an opportunity to
wash away its sins in her pure water.
What happens at the Makar Sankranti Bathing
Festival?
Following the same tradition, a numbers of pilgrims visit
this site every year to take a dip in the holy Ganges.
The bathing ritual that takes place at sunrise is said to
cleanse and purify the soul. Hounds believe that life is spiritual
and you are continually reborn, therefore the quality of your
next life depends on how good you are in this one.
Though devotees start arriving by early January, only the
day of Makar Sankranti, which falls on either the 14th or
15th of January is earmarked as the most important day, with
dawn being considered the most auspicious moment. A similar
event called the Kumbh Mela takes place at Gangasagar
where successive days are considered holy for bathing in River
Ganges.
The ritual Puja, or prayer, allows worshipers
to commune with the divine; it can be done privately at home
or like this at a large elaborate public affair. The temple
priest passes devotee the sacred flame which that they pass
their hands over thus receiving Darshana - the blessings of
the gods. The origin of the ritual is still unknown. The earliest
mention of a bathing ritual is found in the Mahabharata
where a learned sage explains to Bhisma the significance of
taking a dip at the confluence of Gangasagar.
The festival also attracts many sadhus, the holy men
of India. Sadhus believe that by enduring hardships they are
on the path to enlightenment. They travel naked through India,
with little more than a begging bowl and a water pot, their
bodies seared with holy ash. The ritual smoking of large amounts
of hashish is part of their meditation. Receiving a blessing
from these holy men is very sought after.
Getting to Gangasagar
In former days, the journey to Gangasagar was fraught with
danger. People had to travel by boat for several days and
make their own arrangements for food and shelter. Now, pilgrims
can easily travel to Kakdwip from Kolkata by bus and from
there on one can catch jeeps or buses to Gangasagar.
Once you're there
The local administration strives to provide adequate shelter,
drinking water and other amenities to help pilgrims enjoy
a comfortable stay, but the cold weather, gusty wind and occasional
rain, coupled with the arrival of five to six lakh people,
make all arrangements seem inadequate. Most pilgrims arrive
the day before by land and water, and leave soon after the
ritual bathing and worship are over.
During the fair, Gangasagar takes on the look of a miniature
India. But during the rest of the year, it is no different
from its neighbouring islands. Except for the summer months,
it is also a nice weekend getaway for those who want to enjoy
a quiet holiday.
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