Gangasagar Mela 2023: What Is 'Gangasagar Mela' And Its Significance On Makarsankranti

The Mela is held in Sagardweep or Sagar Island in the Ganga delta of West Bengal, which is about 100 km from the state capital Kolkata.

Pilgrims gather on the shore of the Ganga River in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal

Source : ANI

Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from India and abroad reach the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal to celebrate the Gangasagar Mela, world's second-largest human gathering after the Kumbh. The mela is held in Sagardweep or Sagar Island in the Ganga delta of West Bengal, which is about 100 km from the state capital Kolkata.

Significance And Date

Travelling a distance of approximately 2,525 km from Gangotri, the originating place, Ganga ends her journey in Sagar Island where it merges with the Bay of Bengal. Hindus visit the Island to take a holy dip in the river Ganga on the occasion of Makar Sankranti that normally falls on January 14 or 15 of every year.

The festival is dedicated to the Sun God as a gesture of gratitude to all the natural resources which support life on Earth. Lord Sun is worshiped to thank him for bestowing good harvest and nurturing livestock. Cattles like oxen and bulls are also worshiped for their significance in the traditional way of ploughing fields. 

The holy dip is also taken to attain salvation and get rid of all sins. 

The Gangasagar Mela will be held from January 8 to 17 this year, while Makar Sankranti will fall on January 15, when the holy dip will take place in Sagardweep or Sagar Island in the Ganga delta of West Bengal. Lakhs of Hindu pilgrims are expected to attend the mela to take a holy dip. The West Bengal government has made elaborate security arrangements for the successful hosting of the congregation.

Covid Protocols At Mela

In view of the rising Covid cases, the state government has made wearing of masks mandatory at the mela, reported news agency PTI. The administration also said that regular sanitisation processes all around the mela premises will also be carried out to reduce the risk of Covid. However, the administration has not decided on compulsory screening of the pilgrims visiting Gangasagar.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee previously stated that a 300-bed hospital is being built specifically for pilgrims, and that health infrastructure is being built in the areas surrounding the mela. 

She also mentioned that the West Bengal Government will provide Rs 5 lakh insurance if any untoward incident takes place during the mela from January 8 to 17.

National Status Demand For Gangasagar Mela

The Chief Minister on Wednesday demanded that the Centre accord national status for the annual Gangasagar Mela.

“The central government has been providing huge funds to the Kumbh Mela. But it is not providing anything to Gangasagar Mela. That is the reason that I will request them to declare it as a national fair so that we can get some funds,” she said as reported by PTI.