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Ganga Sagar Yatra, GangaSagar Mela Kolkata, Ganga sagar Map, Hotel in Gangasagar, Kolkata Travel Guide

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Jal Teerths - Gangasagar - Introduction

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
   
Gangasagar is the sacred place where the Ganga meets the sea (Bay of Bengal).
    
It is situated in 24 Parganas district, at a distance of 150 km from Kolkata.
    
Every year during Makar Sankranti, a gathering of 5 to 10 lakh people from different regions and diverse cultures makes the place very colourful. It is the second largest fair in India, after Kumbh fair.
    
Sagar Dweep, where Gangasagar is located, is fuelled by solar energy for all its energy requirements. It can claim to be the first in India on this front.
   
Besides religion, the place is famous for its natural structure, Royal Bengal Tigers, mangrove swamps etc.
   
In the ancient times, the region was called Gange-Bunder; Chandikan in the middle ages and Gangasagar in the present day.
 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
According to the religious beliefs, just one dip in Gangasagar is equivalent to all the pilgrimage tours, donations and charity, worship and penance done in the entire life span by a human being.
    
 A bath in Gangasagar is the most significant when the Sun is in Capricorn star sign.
    
The Ganga is considered holy everywhere, however it is said to be the holiest at 3 places - Haridwar, Prayag and Gangasagar.
   
According to religious beliefs, one gets moksh (salvation) on death in the Ganga waters in Haridwar, or death on land or in water in Varanasi, or a death in water, air or on land, in Gangasagar.
    
According to various Puranas, situated here was an ashram of Kapilmuni who cursed the 60,000 sons of Suryavanshi king Sagar, to turn into ash. Their successor, King Bhagirath brought the Ganga to Earth with great effort in order to absolve his ancestors from the curse.
   
Kapilmuni is considered as the author of Sankhya Darshan and as one of the 24 avtars (incarnations) of Vishnu.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
According to ancient texts and writings by Ptolemy, the place was inhabited by a tribe called Gangariddi and was a famous harbour.
   
The Mauryas, Gupts and Harshvardhan also had control over this region. Later, the Pal ruler Dharampal took charge of the region.
   
A number of scripts from the Sen Dynasty, successors to the Pals, are found in the 24 Pargana district and suggest their supremacy in the region.
   
In the 16th century, it came under the Mughal reign but soon the entire region was taken over by Pratapaditya.
   
The last years of the 16th century and the early years of the 17th century witnessed regular attacks from the Mongols and the Portuguese. The cyclone of 1688 A.D. destroyed the entire island. The place has witnessed many such cyclones repeatedly.
   
After the British took over, the region was a jagir (property) of Lord Clive for some time. Later, the rule of permanent settlement was implemented.
   
Currently, the West Bengal government is making efforts for the development of the region and is constructing a bridge to connect Gangasagar to the mainland.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
   
Kapilmuni Temple:
 
It is the central point of all activities taking place in Gangasagar. The temple has red idols of Kapilmuni, Bal Hanuman, Veer Hanuman etc. Situated close by is the temple of Vishalakshi Devi who is considered as the supreme governing deity of the island. The temple is managed by the Hanumangadhi Mahant of Ayodhya.
    
Bharat Sevashram Sangh:
 
It is situated in a huge complex on Road No. 2 of Gangasagar. It includes a beautiful temple, a tourist lodge, and a school for tribal children.
    
Chintaharaneshwar Temple:
 
It is an old Shiv temple built by the Naga sanyasis.
    
Gangasagar sea coast:
 
It is a paradise for all nature-lovers. The ocean waves in their different forms surround it from 3 sides while the tall coconut trees seem to be mocking at the waves.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Magh mela:
 
A huge fair is held every year in the month of January when the Sun enters the Capricorn sun sign. Pilgrims from all over the country visit here to offer Pind-daan to their pitars (ancestors) and also for a bath and godaan (charity) for their own liberation. The fair is organised by the West Bengal government.
   
Ganga Dashera:
 
Here too, the birthday of Ganga is celebrated on the Dashmi of Jyeshth month with great enthusiasm.
   
Shravani Snaan (bath):
 
On this day, a huge number of devotees take a bath in Gangasagar followed by prayers in the Shiv temple.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas
 
 State Youth Hostel  Gangasagar
 Bharat Sevashram Sangh  Gangasagar
   
Hotels:
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Larica Sagar Vihar
 Address
 Gangasagar, Dist. 24 - Parganas
 Telephone
 +91-33 - 240 226, 240 227
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 The Best Inn
 Address
 1-B, Sushil Sen Road, Bhavanipur, Kolkata,
  West Bengal - 700 025
 Telephone
 +91 - 33 - 2454 9101
 Web Site  www.thewestin.net
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Camac Plaza
 Address
 195 / 1, New Park Street, New Park Circus Maidan, Kolkata,
 West Bengal - 700 017
 Telephone
 +91 - 33 - 2287 5201
 Fax  +91-33 - 2290 4759
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Fort Radisson
 Address
 Post Bag 1, Sarisa, 24 Parganas, Kolkata
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 The Astor
 Address
 15, Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata, West Bengal - 700 071
 Telephone
 +91 - 33 - 2282 9957
 Fax
 +91-33 - 2282 7430
 Web Site  www.astorkolkata.com
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  1 metres  1580 mm
 21˚ N  88˚ E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month Jan  Feb  Mar  Apr  May   Jun  Jul Aug Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
 Maximum 
28
31
35
38
37
37
32
32 
32
32
30
28 
 Minimum
16
20 
22 
25
26
26
25
25
25
23
20
16
   
 
Important Informations
Gangasagar is the far end of Sagar Dweep (Island) which is situated on the South-western coast of the Sunderban Delta. It is the largest of the 55 islands of Sunderban.
The average temperature ranges between 16-36 degrees Centigrade. However, the maximum temperature recorded here was 41 degrees Centigrade.
The ideal time for touring Gangasagar is between October and March.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 03210
 Puja Timings  6.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.
 Police Assistance
  Tel: +91 - 033 - 2538 2333
 Ambulance  Ashoknagar S. G. Hospital, Post Village Ashoknagar,  
 Dist. 24 Parganas (North)
 Tel: +91 - 03216 - 257 074,
 Fax: +91 - 03216 - 222 488
 Hospital  Sadar Hospital, Post: Village Barasat,
 Dist. 24  Parganas (North)
 Dr. J. S. Dhar S. D. Hospital, Post: Village Bongaon,  
 Dist. 24 Parganas (North)
 Currency  Exchange  State Bank of India, Branch Alipur, 24
 Parganas - 743 203 and 12 / 28, K. N. C. Road,
 Post Barasat
 United Bank of India, 24 Parganas (North) Region,  48,   Jessore Road, Barasat, (Seth Pakar),
 24   Parganas - 743  201
 ATM Centre  UCO Bank, 109, ABC Lenin Sarani,
 Post Kancharpada, Dist. 24 Parganas (North),
 PIN - 743 145
 Allahabad Bank, BD-98, Salt Lake City, 24 Parganas  (North) - 700 064
 Tel: +91 - 033 - 2337 4808 / 2321 3742
 Post Office
 Gangasagar
 Tourist Office
  Bakkhali Tourist Lodge, Post Laxmipur - Prabartak   
 (via Namkhana), Dist. 24 Parganas (South),
 PIN - 743 331, Tel: +91 - 3210 - 225 260
   
 
Food
Options for food are limited in Gangasagar. Food is mostly available at the dhabas of Road No. 2. Larica Hotel and Youth Hostel offer good food.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf icongangasagar.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
Kolkata
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Kolkata  CP
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Gangasagar  

 

  Kolkata  116 km
 Kakdwip  32 km

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