Gangasagar Mela 2023: Thousands Take Holy Dip At World's Second-Largest Human Congregation | See Pics

Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from India and abroad descend to West Bengal's South 24 Parganas region to celebrate the Gangasagar Mela, the world's second-largest human gathering after the Kumbh Mela. (Photo Gallery: AFP)

The mela is hosted in Sagardweep or Sagar Island in West Bengal's Ganga delta, some 100 kilometres from the state capital Kolkata. (Photo Gallery: AFP)

Ganga ends her journey in Sagar Island, where it meets with the Bay of Bengal, after travelling roughly 2,525 kilometres from Gangotri. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, which usually falls on January 14 or 15, Hindus flock to the island to take a holy dip in the Ganga. (Photo Gallery: AFP)

The festival is devoted to the Sun God as agesture of gratitude to all the natural resources that sustain life on Earth. Lord Sun is worshipped to express gratitude for bestowing a bountiful harvest and rearing livestock. Cattles, like oxen and bulls, are also revered for their role in the traditional method of ploughing fields. (Photo Gallery: AFP)

The holy dip is also used to achieve redemption and purge oneself of all sins. This year's Gangasagar Mela will take place from January 8 to 17, while Makar Sankranti will fall on January 15, when the holy plunge will take place in Sagardweep or Sagar Island in West Bengal's Ganga delta. (Photo Gallery: AFP)

In light of the increased number of Covid cases, the state government made masks necessary at the mela, according to news agency PTI. The administration also stated that regular sanitisation measures were carried out across the mela premises to prevent the risk of Covid. (Photo Gallery: AFP)

According to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a 300-bed hospital is being erected exclusively for pilgrims, and health infrastructure is being built in the villages surrounding the mela. (Photo Gallery: AFP)