Gangasagar: of holy confluence and religious heritage

Endless stretches of soft silver sand amidst clear skies and gentle winds greeted us as we approached the holy waters of Sagardwip or Gangasagar. The pristine beach waters were fairly quiet and despite the soaring temperature, we had a great time as the frothy waters gently rippled around our feet.

One of the most popular pilgrimage places in the country, Gangasagar is a holy island in the South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal state. It is here that India's most sacred river and lifeline to millions, the Ganges drains into the Bay of Bengal. One of the most popular tourists destinations of West Bengal, Gangasagar is a favorite with tourists enthusiasts, adventure lovers and pilgrims alike.

Gangasagar is extensively visited during Makar Sankranti which falls during the month of January each year. There is also an elaborate fair during this annual pilgrimage which is known to attract one of the largest congregations of people after the mega Khumb mela. After the traditional holy dip at the confluence, devotees offer prayers at the renowned Kapila muni temple on the island. The temple is highly revered and is associated with a plethora of legendary tales having high religious importance.

Given my love for estuaries and confluences as stated earlier, I was glad we visited this sacred place during our recent visit to Kolkata. Located around 100 kms from the city, Gangasagar can be approached from either Harwood point or Namkhana jetty. Ferry services are available in both Harwood point and Namkhana and are run by West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation.

The ferry which lasted about 30 minutes was quite an enjoyable experience though it tends to get quite crowded. While it was teeming with people and vendors, I had a great time watching the birds from the boat.

The ferry takes you to Kachuberia from where you can hire a private vehicle or board a bus to Gangasagar about 35 km away.