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{{short description|Hindu pilgrimage and festival celebrated in India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name = Gangasagar Mela
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image = Gangasagar.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| status = active
| genre = Fair, Religious gathering
| frequency = Every years
| prev = 2025
| next = 2026
| venue = Confluence of the [[Ganges]] and the [[Bay of Bengal]]
| location = [[Gangasagar]], [[West Bengal]]
| coordinates = {{coord|21.6367562|88.0554125|type:event|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| participants = Pilgrims
| attendance =
| area =
| budget =
| activity =
| sponsor = [[Government of West Bengal]]<ref name="hindustantimes">{{cite web |title=Centre doesn't spend a single penny on Gangasagar Mela, claims Mamata Banerjee |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/centre-doesn-t-spend-a-single-penny-on-gangasagar-mela-claims-mamata-banerjee-101672894835069.html |website=www.hindustantimes.com |access-date=30 March 2023 |language=en |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330003443/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/centre-doesn-t-spend-a-single-penny-on-gangasagar-mela-claims-mamata-banerjee-101672894835069.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| website = {{URL|gangasagar.in}}
}}
'''Gangasagar Mela''' ({{langx|bn|গঙ্গাসাগর মেলা}}) is a [[Melā|mela]] and festival in [[Hinduism]], held every year at [[Gangasagar]], [[West Bengal]], India.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} The confluence of the [[Ganges]] and the [[Bay of Bengal]] is called the [[Gangasagar]], the fair is held every year on [[Makar Sankranti]] at [[Kapil Muni Temple|Kapilmuni's ashram]] located on the Gangasagar. The [[Melā|mela]] is celebrated on 14 or 15 January every year.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}

Gangasagar Mela is the second largest Hindu fair (after [[Kumbh Mela]]). Many people from different states of India come here every year to take a holy bath on Makar Sankranti day.{{sfn|Ivermee|2021|pp=194–195}}

In 2024, Renowned Bengali Newspaper [[Aajkaal]] Quoted about 1.10 crore devotees gathered in the [[Melā|mela]].<ref name="anandabazar1">{{cite web |url=https://www.aajkaal.in/west-bengal/gangasagar-mela-2024-update-146194
|title=Gangasagar Mela: গঙ্গাসাগর থেকে ফেরার পথে মুড়ি গঙ্গার উপরে আটকে গেল ভেসেল }}</ref><ref name="bangla-hindustantimes">{{cite web |title=আজ গঙ্গাসাগরে পুণ্যস্নান, সন্ধ্যার মকরস্নানে কি সর্বকালের রেকর্ড ভাঙবে?‌ |url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/bengal/districts/record-crowd-will-present-at-gangasagar-mela-today-holy-bath-31673665946139.html |website=bangla.hindustantimes.com |date=14 January 2023 |access-date=29 March 2023 |location=Kolkata |language=bn |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329223924/https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/bengal/districts/record-crowd-will-present-at-gangasagar-mela-today-holy-bath-31673665946139.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== History ==
=== Hindu scriptures ===
The [[Gangasagar]] is mentioned in the Mahabharata's [[Vana Parva]], which provides proof of the existence of the pilgrimage site in 1500–2000 BC. According to the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', the [[Pandava]]s traveled from the banks of the river Kaushik and reached the ''Gangesagarasangam'', Confluence of Ganges and [[Bay of Bengal|''Sagara'']] (Sea).{{sfn|Basu|1954|p=190}}{{sfn|Ghosh|2020|p=203}} According to [[Hinduism]], the "Gangasagarasangam" mentioned in the ''Mahabharata'' is Gangasagar in [[Sagar Island|Sagardwip]], situated at the estuary of the [[Hooghly River|Bhagirathi-Hooghly]] rivers – one of the two main branches of the Ganges– on the sea coast of [[West Bengal]].

Legend has it that [[Kapila|Kapilmuni]], the progenitor of ''[[Samkhya]]'' philosophy, had an ashram at [[Gangasagara]]. Sixty thousand sons of [[Sagara (Hinduism)|Sagara King]] were consumed by Kapilmuni's [[wrath]] and their [[Ātman (Hinduism)|''Ātman''s (souls)]] were thrown into [[Naraka (Hinduism)|''Naraka'' (hell)]]. [[Bhagiratha]], the grandson of the Sagara king, brought the Ganga from ''[[Svarga]]'' (heaven) to wash the remains of the Sagara's sons and free their ''Ātman''s (souls).{{sfn|Basu|1954|pp=186–187}}{{sfn|Ghosh|2020|pp=203–204}}

=== Ancient times ===
The [[Gangasagar]] pilgrimage is also mentioned in ''[[Raghuvaṃśa]]'', a Sanskrit epic poem written by the great poet [[Kalidasa]] in the fifth century AD. There is disagreement over the exact age of Kapil Muni's ashram. [[Kapil Muni Temple|The temple of Kapil Muni]] is mentioned in the 16th century ancient [[Puthi]] ''Tirthaattvapradayini'' ({{langx|bn|তীর্থতত্ত্বপ্রদায়িনী}}). An article about the Gangasagar Mela was printed on February 4, 1837, in the once popular Bengali newspaper ''Harkara'' ({{langx|bn|হরকরা}}). It is written, "The one temple in this place ([[Sagar Island|Sagar Dwip]]) has been known to people for 1400 years. In this temple there is established a Siddhapurusha named [[Kapila|Kapil Muni]].{{sfn|Ivermee|2021|pp=194–195}}<ref name="aajtak">{{cite web |title=আশ্রমকে কেন্দ্র করেই পূণ্যস্নান! জানুন কপিল মুনির কাহিনী |url=https://bangla.aajtak.in/dharm-religion/story/gangasagar-mela-2021-know-real-facts-kapil-muni-ashram-hindu-pilgrims-gather-take-dip-holy-ganga-river-makar-sankranti-259453-2021-01-14 |website=bangla.aajtak.in |access-date=29 March 2023 |language=bn |archive-date=2023-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329225001/https://bangla.aajtak.in/dharm-religion/story/gangasagar-mela-2021-know-real-facts-kapil-muni-ashram-hindu-pilgrims-gather-take-dip-holy-ganga-river-makar-sankranti-259453-2021-01-14 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="gangasagar"/>

Also, [[Devapala (Pala dynasty)|King Devapala]] of the [[Pala Empire|Pala dynasty]] mentions in an inscription that he performed rituals at the confluence of the Gangasagar.<ref name="aajtak"/>

=== Middle Ages ===
During medieval times, pilgrims from every corner of the subcontinent defied many obstacles and dangers to reach Gangasagar on [[Makar Sankranti]], namely attacks from the [[Bengal tiger]] inhabiting the [[Sundarbans|mangrove forests]], presence of the [[gharial]] in the waters & [[Piracy in India|piracy activities]] of the [[Marma people|Mog]] sponsored by the [[Kingdom of Mrauk U|kingdom of Arakan]] & later the [[Portuguese settlement in Chittagong|Portuguese]]. Enroute along the riverine course of the [[Adi Ganga]] was the small hamlet of [[Magrahat|Mograhat]], named so because of the presence of a [[slave market]] operated by the Mog people, where captured Hindu pilgrims would be [[Slavery in India|sold]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maharaj |first=Shanku |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.299030/page/n3/mode/2up |title=Gangasagar |date=1960}}</ref> During the perilous journey, the pilgrims faced diseases like [[cholera]] and [[Smallpox|small pox]]. Due to the danger and death faced by the pilgrims the Bengali phrase originated — ''saba tīrtha bāra bāra, gaṅgāsāgara ēkabāra'' ("Go to all [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|tirthas]] again & again, but Gangasagar only once in life").<ref name="gangasagar">{{cite web |title=Past Gangasagar Mela |url=https://www.gangasagar.in/en/about/pastgangasagarmela |website=www.gangasagar.in |access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref>

=== Modern era ===
[[File:Scenes from every land, second series; a collection of 250 illustrations picturing the people, natural phenomena, and animal life in all parts of the world. With one map and a bibliography of (14580412870).jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|A photo (c. 1909) by Ada Lee. It shows a Hindu pilgrim gathering at Gangasagar Mela, Ganga Sagar, [[West Bengal]] – where river Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal.]]
In the year 1819, [[Warren Hastings]] cleared the northern parts of the island in order to resettle 500 [[Rohingya people|Rohingya]] families fleeing persecution following the [[Konbaung dynasty]]'s conquest of Arakan, who would cultivate crops in the cleared land. Shortly after this, the shrine of Kapilmuni situated at the south end of the island came under possession of [[Ramanandi Sampradaya|Ramanandi]] sadhus from [[Ayodhya]] with the help of a local [[Zamindars of Bengal|zamindar]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=চক্রবর্তী |first=গৌতম |title=‘সব তীর্থ বারবার গঙ্গাসাগর এক বার’ |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/rabibashoriyo/some-unknown-information-about-gangasagar-mela-1.739669 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205080817/https://www.anandabazar.com/rabibashoriyo/some-unknown-information-about-gangasagar-mela-1.739669 |archive-date=5 December 2024 |access-date=2025-02-05 |language=bn |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Kapalkundala]]'', a Bengali novel written by [[Bankim Chandra Chatterjee|Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay]], depicts a perilous journey to reach the Gangasagar.<ref name="gangasagar"/> In 1891, the festivities became the a hotspot for the [[1881–1896 cholera pandemic|5th cholera pandemic]]. In 1914 AD, a man named Wilson mentions the [[Kapil Muni Temple|temple of Kapilmuni]] in the District Gazetteer. According to the person's writings, Kapilmuni's temple was temporary structure surrounded by a bamboo fence. In front of the temple was a huge [[banyan]] tree, under which were [[Murti|''murti''s]] (idols) of [[Rama]] and [[Hanuman]]. Gangasagar Mela is mentioned in the ''Bhāratēra Tīrthayātrā'' (in en: India's Pilgrimage) by Shri Madhavachandra Varman published in 1336 [[Bengali calendars|''Baṅgābda'']]. This text mentions "three days of bathing in the Gangasagar during Makara Sankranti in [[Poush]] or [[Magh (Bengali calendar)|Magh]] month, the fair lasts for five days".<ref name="anandabazar8"/>
[[File:Kapil Muni Temple.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kapil Muni Temple]], its construction was completed in 1974.]]
After India's independence, the pilgrimage site began to flourish. Pictures of the temple were published in the Bengali book ''Gangasagar Mela O Pracina Aitihya'' by Tarundev Bhattacharya. According to the text, the permanent temple emerged in the form of a mature temple between 1964 and 1974. The [[Government of West Bengal|West Bengal Government]] assisted in the construction of a permanent temple in the 1970s. In the following decades, the number of pilgrims to the fair increased. At present, millions of people congregate every year on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranti or Poush-Sankranti (mid-January) in the month of Poush to celebrate the Gangasagar fair and the pilgrimage site.<ref name="anandabazar8">{{cite news |title=গঙ্গাসাগরের সাজঘরে |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/rabibashoriyo/special-article-about-the-monks-of-gangasagar-1.1094019 |access-date=18 January 2024 |work=www.anandabazar.com |publisher=ABP |date=12 January 2020 |location=Gangasagar |language=bn}}</ref>

=== Pilgrims ===
In 2007, about 300,000 pilgrims took the holy dip where the [[Ganges]] (Hooghly) meets the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of [[Makar Sankranti]]. Almost five-hundred thousand pilgrims thronged [[Gangasagar]] in 2008.<ref name="pilgrim">{{Cite web | url = http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&show=archive&id=218846&catid=72&year=2008&month=1&day=16&Itemid=66 | title = Dip, deaths mark Sagar mela finale | access-date = 30 March 2023 | publisher = The Statesman | date = 16 January 2008 | archive-date = 24 May 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130524223338/http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&show=archive&id=218846&catid=72&year=2008&month=1&day=16&Itemid=66 | url-status = live }}</ref> For the rest of the year about 500,000 people come to the island.<ref name="Telegraph-2">{{Cite news| title = Bridge plea for Sagar tourism | date =15 January 2007 | last = Chattopdhyay | first = Debashis|newspaper = The Telegraph | location=Calcutta, India|url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070115/asp/bengal/story_7263417.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070128210402/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070115/asp/bengal/story_7263417.asp |archive-date=2007-01-28|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to reports on 14 January 2018, 1.8-2 million people had visited Gangasagar in 2018, against 1.5 million in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-west-bengal-on-makar-sankranti-2018-ganga-sagar-mela-witnesses-record-crowds-2575293 |title = West Bengal: On Makar Sankranti 2018, Ganga Sagar Mela witnesses record crowds |work = Home>>India |publisher = DNA, 14 January 2018 |access-date = 30 March 2023 |date = 14 January 2018 |archive-date = 30 March 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230330081041/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-west-bengal-on-makar-sankranti-2018-ganga-sagar-mela-witnesses-record-crowds-2575293 |url-status = live }}</ref> In 2023, about 51 lakhs pilgrims gathered in the Gangasagar Mela.<ref name="anandabazar1"/><ref name="bangla-hindustantimes"/>

== Dates, location and preparation ==
[[File:Kapil Muni Ashram, Gangasagar.jpg|thumb|Kapil Muni Temple during the Gangasagar Mela in 2019.]]

=== Dates ===
The Gangasagar Mela is organized on the occasion of the holy dip on [[Makar Sankranti]],<ref name="business-standard">{{cite web |title=Gangasagar Mela: Devotees, seers take holy dip in Ganges on Makar Sankranti |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/gangasagar-mela-devotees-seers-take-holy-dip-in-ganges-on-makar-sankranti-123011400325_1.html |website=www.business-standard.com |access-date=30 March 2023 |language=en |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330004607/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/gangasagar-mela-devotees-seers-take-holy-dip-in-ganges-on-makar-sankranti-123011400325_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Ivermee|2021|p=194}} usually on January 14 or 15. Makar Sankranti is set by the solar cycle and corresponds to the exact time astronomical event of the Sun entering Capricorn and is observed on a day that usually falls on 14 January of the Gregorian calendar, but on 15 January in leap years. Makar Sankranti's date and time is analogous to Sidereal time of Zodiac sign of Capricorn (when sun enters).<ref name="Capricorn-zodiac-1" >{{cite web |title=sun enters Capricorn zodiac |url=https://www.drikpanchang.com/sankranti/info/makar-sankranti.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |archive-date=2021-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028130954/https://www.drikpanchang.com/sankranti/info/makar-sankranti.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023, holy dip started on January 14, 6:30 PM and ended on January 15, 6:53 PM.<ref>{{cite web |title=গঙ্গাসাগর মেলার উদ্বোধন |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/inauguration-ceremony-of-gangasagar-mela-took-place-yesterday/cid/1398588 |website=Anandabazar |access-date=29 March 2023 |location=Kolkata |language=en |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329233900/https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/inauguration-ceremony-of-gangasagar-mela-took-place-yesterday/cid/1398588 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Location ===
Gangasagar Mela is held at [[Gangasagar]], [[Sagar Island|Sagar Dwip]].{{sfn|Ivermee|2021|p=194}} The place belongs to [[South 24 Parganas]] district, [[West Bengal]]. The Mela is organized around [[Kapil Muni Temple|Kapil Muni's ashram]].<ref name="sangbadpratidin1">{{cite web |title=কপিল মুনির আশ্রমকে ঘিরেই গঙ্গাসাগরের মহামিলন মেলা, কী মাহাত্ম্য তাঁর? |url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/religion/unknown-myths-about-kapil-muni/ |website=www.sangbadpratidin.in |access-date=30 March 2023 |language=bn |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330083600/https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/religion/unknown-myths-about-kapil-muni/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The site of the Mela is on the banks of the confluence of the [[Ganges]] and the [[Bay of Bengal]].<ref name="sangbadpratidin1"/>{{sfn|Ivermee|2021|p=194}}

=== Preparation for the fair ===
[[File:Pilgrims - Gangasagar Fair Transit Camp - Kolkata 2012-01-14 0587.JPG|thumb|In 2012, a view of the temporary transit camp constructed in Kolkata.]]
Pilgrims from different states of India arrive on the occasion of Ganga bath and the Gangasagar Mela. Most of the pilgrims first arrive at [[Kolkata]] to visit Gangasagar. Transit camps are established in Kolkata every year for the convenience of pilgrims. All kinds of civic facilities are provided to these camps.
[[File:Love for the place where river meets Sea Gangasagar P 20171103 101748Gangasagar.jpg|thumb|left|A temporary jetty built on the occasion of the fair, and a crowd of pilgrims.]]
The biggest obstacle to reaching [[Sagar Island|Sagar Dwip]] is the [[Muri Ganga River|Muri Ganga]] River; Pilgrims have to cross this river on their journey. However, due to the low [[navigability]] of the river, it is not possible to cross the river without [[tide]]. Every year, [[dredging]] is carried out in the river for uninterrupted [[ferry]] operation.<ref name="anandabazar6"/> Ferry services are operated between [[Kakdwip]] and Kachuberia, Sagar Dwip on the occasion of fairs and Ganga bath. Several temporary jetties were constructed for faster and more pilgrim transport. All vessels and buses can be monitored from a central control room. GPS and [[Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System|NAVIC]] (Navigation with Indian Constellation) technology is used in all the transport vehicles of Sagar Dwip for surveillance.<ref name="anandabazar7">{{cite news |title=ইসরো-র 'নেভিক' প্রযুক্তিতে নজরদারি গঙ্গাসাগর মেলায় |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/administration-to-use-navic-navigation-with-indian-constellation-technology-of-isro-to-keep-surveillance/cid/1485161 |access-date=18 January 2024 |work=www.anandabazar.com |publisher=ABP |date=30 December 2023 |location=Gangasagar |language=bn}}</ref> Vessels are also provided with navigation lights to prevent visibility problems due to fog.<ref name="anandabazar6">{{cite news |title=গঙ্গাসাগর মেলার প্রস্তুতি শুরু |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/24-parganas/preparation-of-ganga-sagar-mela-started-in-sagar-island/cid/1478318 |access-date=18 January 2024 |work=www.anandabazar.com |publisher=ABP |date=1 December 2023 |location=Gangasagar |language=bn}}</ref>

== Rituals ==
[[File:Kapil Muni Ashram Gangasagar West Bengal.jpg|thumb|left|Sculptures of goddess [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]], [[Kapila|Kapilmuni]] and [[Sagara (Hinduism)|Sagar Raja]] in the [[Kapil Muni Temple|Kapilmuni Temple]].]]
On the day of Ganga Bathing, Hindu devotees gather early in the morning and take a holy dip in the [[Ganges|Ganges River]]. They offer offerings to Lord [[Surya]] and chant Lord Surya Mantra.<ref name="timesofindia">{{cite web |title=Gangasagar Mela 2023: Date, Place, Story, Rituals and Significance |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/rituals-puja/gangasagar-mela-2023-date-place-story-rituals-and-significance/articleshow/96831110.cms |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=8 January 2023 |access-date=30 March 2023 |language=en |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330001335/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/rituals-puja/gangasagar-mela-2023-date-place-story-rituals-and-significance/articleshow/96831110.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

After completing the rituals, people worship [[Kapila|Kapil]] Muni and light a pradeep (Diya) with desi [[ghee]]. Some also perform Yajna and [[Homa (ritual)|Homa]] on the day of Ganga bathing. Some devotees even observe a strict fast on ''Gangasana'' days. On this auspicious day of Ganga bathing, devotees express their gratitude to Goddess [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]] and seek forgiveness for their misdeeds knowingly or unknowingly.<ref name="timesofindia"/>

== Special Certificate ==
The [[South 24 Parganas|District Administration of South 24 Parganas]] handed over special certificates to all the pilgrims who came to Gangasagar Mela.<ref name="anandabazar">{{cite web |title=গঙ্গাসাগরে এলেই মিলবে সচিত্র শংসাপত্র, পুণ্যার্থীদের জন্য বিশেষ উদ্যোগ রাজ্য সরকারের |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/24-parganas/a-great-initiative-has-been-taken-by-the-state-government-for-the-ganga-sagar-fair-2023-dgtld/cid/1394008 |website=Anandabazar |access-date=29 March 2023 |location=Kolkata |language=bn |date=24 December 2022 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329221825/https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/24-parganas/a-great-initiative-has-been-taken-by-the-state-government-for-the-ganga-sagar-fair-2023-dgtld/cid/1394008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Apart from the photo and phone number of the pilgrims, the certificates also contain a greeting message from the [[Government of West Bengal|state government]].<ref name="anandabazar"/>

== References ==
{{reflist|3}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book
|last1=Basu |first1=Rajshekhar
|date=1954
|title=মহাভারত
|publisher=MCR Sarkar & Sons
|location=Kolkata
|isbn=81-7157-006-2
|language=bn
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Ghosh |first1=Binoy
|date=January 2020
|title=পশ্চিমবঙ্গের সংস্কৃতি
|publisher=Deep Publishing
|location=Kolkata
|isbn=978-93-89584-39-4
|language=bn
|volume=3rd
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Ivermee |first1=Robert
|date=2021
|title=Hooghly: The Global History of a River
|publisher=HarperCollins
|location=Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
|isbn=978-93-5422-314-3
|edition=1st
}}

== External links==
*{{URL|https://www.gangasagar.in|Official Website}}

[[Category:Fairs in India]]
[[Category:Tourism in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Culture of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Sagar Island]]

Gangasagar Mela - Revision history

Kuldeep Singh Deep at 01:21, 6 February 2026