Gangasagar Tour from Kolkata | Mela Guide 2023

Kolkata is the main gateway to reach Ganga Sagar island. Buses and trains are easily available to reach Gangasagar. The Gangasagar Mela is one of the main winter festivals in West Bengal. 

In India, the Gangasagar Fair takes place after the Kumbh Mela, and this is the second-largest gathering of Hindu pilgrims. This festival is celebrated by taking a holy dip in the Ganga River on Makar Sankranti day.

Gangasagar mela 2023 date is 14th January 2023 (Saturday) on the on Makar Sankranti day, its also called “Ganda snan” day.

Gangasagar Tour From Kolkata, West Bengal

The fair happened when the Ganga River merged with the Bay of Bengal, like Prayag. The Gangasagar fair is celebrated annually only on the Sagardwip (Sagar Island).

Each year, pilgrims come from all over the country and take a holy bath on Makar Sankranti day. They pray in the Ganga River and Kapil Muni mandir. Hence, this temple immersed legendary stories and is much respected among the devotees.

This event is held every year in the middle of January. Sagar Island is in the Sundarban biosphere, called Sagardeep Island. It happens once a year.

পড়ুন:- কোলকাতা থেকে গঙ্গাসাগর মেলা ভ্রমণ গাইড

How I reach Gangasgar from Kolkata

Kolkata to Ganganagar by train is my favourite route. I started my trip at 5 am, boarding Namkhana local from Sealdah station and reaching Kakdwip at 7:30 am. The train fare is 25 rupees. It’s the most cost-saving route.

You can also reach Gangasagar from Kolkata by car from Diamond Harbour Road. Reach Kakdwip and cross the river Muriganga from lot no. 8 to Kachuberia Ferry Ghat. Then, the route will be the same as the Kolkata Diamond Harbour road bus route.

We took a Toto car to reach Kachuberia lot number 8 ferry ghat from Nakhhana station. The Toto fair is 20 rupees this year. I visited here a few before the Gangasagara Mela. This time, the crowd is a little less.

Gangasagar ferry timings are very frequent. Check the high and low tide times because the service is closed temporarily. There is an app for crossing the river; please check the Google Play Store.

After, we crossed the river called Muriganga. It will take 45 minutes approx. And the fair is 10 rupees per person. The Swagardeep island, where the Gangasagar Mela happened, is under the Sundarban Biosphere; the only connectivity is a waterway.

The big electric pillar is built in the middle of the river to connect Electricity from the mainland of West Bengal and Swagardeep. On the other side of the Ghat, we take a magic van, which charges 50 rupees per person.

After 40 minutes of the journey, we reached Kapil Muni ashram, the holy Gangasagar beach and the Mela ground. They are ready to invite the pilgrims. The Kapil Muni Ashram is the main attraction in Gangasagar.

We finished our lunch in a government food court. The veg meal is 50 rupees, and the chicken meal is 100. We stay here for 2 hours and return via Benuban ferry ghat (Chemaguri) to Namkhana. Afterwards, we took the train from Namkhana station and reached Kolkata in 4 hours. Our Ganganagar tour is finished here.

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How to reach Gangasagar from Kolkata by air, road, rail and vessel

Gangasagar from Kolkata By Road, Bus, or Car

There are several ways to reach Gangasagar from Kolkata. Bus route, Gangasagar train route, and vessel route are available for this trip.
Kolkata to Ganga Sagar bus is available from the Esplanade bus depo in Kolkata.

Suppose you come by car and cross the river Muriganga from Kachuberia Ferry Ghat. Your route will be the same as a bus route, Kolkata Diamond Harbour Road.

Gangasagar from Kolkata By Rail

Kolkata to Ganganagar is about 100 km from Kolkata. Ganga Sagar’s nearest railway station is Kakdwip Station. After reaching the station, cross the Muriganga river from lot no 8 ferry ghat, take Toto or Maruti and reach Ganga Sagar.

You can reach Gangasagar from Nankhana station also. From Namkhana, reach Namkhana ferry ghat and take the local boat to the Benuban Chemaguri ferry ghat. After, take a toto to reach Gangasagar.

Gangasagar from Kolkata By Vessel or Ferry

Book your trip by vessel to visit Ganganagar if you come from Howrah. Book this service at least one month earlier. To buy a ship ticket, contact Millenium Park or Howrah Jetty.

Gangasagar from Kolkata By Air

Helicopter service is available from Behala Flying Club Kolkata to Gangasagar every Sunday. Fare 2334 rupees(One side). Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (Kolkata Airport) is the nearest airport.

Read Digha Tour Plan from Kolkata

Gansagar travel tips

• The official food court is suitable for eating. First, know the price, then order. There are two places: AC and non-AC. There is a price difference.
• When you visit Gangasagar, you must have bedsheets and pillowcases (which we found very useful!) And a suitable mosquito repellent.
• Gangasagar is the ideal place for a day or two. It would be best if you had the mentality for a travel adjustment.
• Airtel 4G and Vodafone 4G are running here.
• The time of the vessel depends on the tide. You can find an app for this in the Play Store.
• Keep your own medicine.
• You should attened the sandhya aarti in Kapil Muni Ashram and Bharat sebaasram.
• Gangasagar is not suitable for those who travel for comfort and convenience. There are few luxury hotels. Most ashrams or monasteries have a place to stay.
• Govt Cottage, Bharat Seba Ashram and youth hostel is the best option to stay. There are also a few private general hotels. Adjacent to the Kapil Muni temple, the temple has its ashram. Phone – (03210) 240320.
• Get a Toto or van to get around. You have to Bargain before getting up. They always charge a little higher.

Gangasagar Kapil Muni Temple History

Kapal Muni temple is located in the Ganga Sagar Dham. It is believed that in 1432, the husband Ramanand established the deity. The deity is a stone block and is worshipped as Kapil Muni. The pictures of Bhagirath, Rama, and Sita are seen here.

The annual Ganges Sea Fair is celebrated on Makar Shankar Day. First, Pilgrims take a holy dip in the Ganga River after going to the Kapil Muni temple for worship.

The original temple washed out at the time of the flood. Now, a new temple has been replaced. Goddess Ganga Devi is on the right side of the Kapil Muni, and on the left, the Sagar Raja is situated.

Kapil Muni is worshipped as the god of Bishnu. Kapil Muni is situated in the middle of the temple, on the right side of the Kapil Muni Maa Ganga, and on the other side, the Sagar Raja is situated.

Do not miss the sandhya Arati at Kapil Muni Ashram. You will see many naga sannyasi in this time of Gangasagar Mela. Here, you can buy puja essentials from the Dala market in front of the main temple.

Naga Sadhu in Gangasagar Mela

In Ganga Sagar Mela, among the million pilgrims, many Naga Sadhus are present here. They live in temporary camps, do rituals, and even do different yoga styles.

These rituals are attended by many of their fans. The Naga Sadhus are painting their body with asses. They are the biggest attraction of the Gangasagar fair.

11 Gangasagar sightseeing and tourist places

You can visit bellow places for the side seen.

• Old Manasa temple
• Nag Baba temple
• Lighthouse
• Ayla devastated area
• The sea beach
• Kapil Muni Ashram
• Gosto Mandir
• Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Manasadwip
• Bharat Sevashram Gangasagar
• Gangasagar Omkarnath Ashram
• Bisalakshmi Temple

Toto will rent around 300 rupees to do this side scene. You can easily see all the places in 1 day,

Gangasagar Naga Sadhu baba in Kolkata

Every year, pilgrims and naga sadhus gather in Babu Ghat, also called the Outram Ghat area in Kolkata, to go to Gangasagar and celebrate the Gangasagar Mela in Sagardwip.
You can find them just beside Eden Garden. They come from different states of India. During this festive time, government buses go directly to Ganga Sagar Mela with a nominal fare.

In Gangasagar, the main attraction is the Kapil Muni ashram, which takes a holy dip in the Ganga river. The fair started on Makar Sankranti day. Every year, the West Bengal government and many trustees arrange accommodations for the pilgrims to celebrate this fair. Kolkata is the main junction point where they rest for some time.

The entire area is extensive, and a mini Gangasagar Mela happened here. People are also taking blessings from the naga sadhus. Many religious events are organized.
Here, the committees arrange food and Prasad for everybody. For free, Khichri, tea, jalebi, and milk are distributed to everybody.

Our government and the committees provide security and medical treatment free of cost. The Kolkata Police excel at events like Durga Puja in Kolkata, protection at this fair, etc. A big salute to them.

Conclusion

From Bengal’s Durga Puja to a safe Park Street Christmas celebration, people safely organized all festivities last year. The new year has come with hopes of returning to the previous lifestyle. The holy month of “Poush” welcomes the grand affair of Bengal’s Gangasagar Mela. Pilgrims flock here to dip in the Ganges’ sacred waters.