An old Indian adage that says, “SAB TEERATH BAR BAR GANGASAGAR EK BAR” which means you have to visit any other pilgrimage place many time to attain salvation but you can attain the salvation in Ganga Sagar by visiting just once. Many thousands of followers of Hindu religion from various parts of India and the abroad undertake a strenuous voyage to this holy island located at the coastal side of West Bengal to take a dip in the holy Ganges at the confluence of the Ganga and way of Bengal, especially, on the occasion of Makar sankranti in the mid – January.
This picturesque locality is visited by devotees and tourists all round the the year but during the Makar Sankranti festival in mid – January millions of pilgrims gather here to take a dip in the river and wash out their sins to attain salvation . According to the Hindu belief , the Gangasagar pilgrim is considered as the third most important pilgrim after the Maha Kumbh and Kumbh , and highly revered holy destination in Mythology.
A highly revered sage in Indian Mythology who was also considered as the avatar of Lord Vishnu – for offering prayers and doing Puja. Taking part in the grand annual fair at the time of the Makar Sankranti festival and taking the sacred dip in the river Ganges is considered a highly pious activity to cleanse one’s soul which paved the way to attain Mokhsha.
Not only Makar Snnan peoples also perform Maghi Purnima Snnan in Bengali Month of Magh –Falgun, and also perform the last ritual. Hindus are called its. Till Tarpan ‘ Tarpan gives to pitri purush’ (Nirakapanjali )on the occasion of Mahalaya.
Gangasagar is a village and a Gram Panchayat ‘within the jurisdiction of the sagar police station in sagar CD Block in the Kakdwip subdivision of the south 24 prganas district in the indian state of West Bengal.Except the Makar Sankarti, the remaining time of the year, the pristine beach of the Gangasagar Island is very enchanting to lure beach lovers at this place. The glittering silver sand, blue sky and clam sea make this Island favorite for tourists who want to spend their holiday peacefully in a serene place. The view of sunrise and sunset is spectacular from this place places to see and visit in Gangasagar.The Kapil muni temple is the most revered holy shrine West Bengal dedicated to the ancient sage Kapil Muni, who is known as the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is said that you will get Moksha and released from the cycle of birth and death if you offer puja in this temple after taking a holy dip in the river Ganga during Makar Sankaranti.
The grand religious fair, which is held in mid – January every year on the occasion of Makar Sankranti is the second largest gathering of devotees in the world after the Kumbh Mela. During the Mela, the isolated island comes alive with a large number of devotees, ascetic yogis ashrams and religiou camps.
