Gangasagar: The confluence of belief

At the southern-most tip of West Bengal, where the Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal, lie the Sagar Islands — home to the Gangasagar Mela.

Visited by lakhs of pilgrims and visitors every year during Makar Sankranti in January, the windswept islands are 118km away from Kolkata.

During Ganga Sagar Mela, the Sagar Islands are transformed into a huge melting pot of faith, colour and culture that transcends religion.

It is one of the largest religious congregations in India that also offers an immersive cultural experience, especially to foreign tourists.

Every morning during the duration of the fair, thousands of visitors step into the chilly waters for the Punya Snan or holy dip that is believed to cleanse the soul and offer spiritual renewal. Visitors and pilgrims from across the country and beyond come to Gangasagar for a holy dip at the confluence.

Pilgrims also offer prayers at the Kapil Muni Temple, where thousands of oil lamps are lit and set afloat on the ocean at dusk. The spectacular Ganga Aarti draws in huge crowds as well.

The nearest airport to the Sagar Islands is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, around 142km away from the islands. From the airport, visitors can head for Kakdwip, around 35.5 km away from the Sagar Islands and take the ferry to reach Kachuberia. Buses and autorickshaws offer last-mile connectivity to the Sagar Islands from the ferry ghat at Kachuberia. Keep an eye out for the ferry timings as they change with the tide timings of the day.

Buses operate from the Babughat and Esplanade bus terminus in Kolkata to Kakdwip. 

Local trains run at regular intervals from Sealdah to Kakdwip and Namkhana.

The Ganga Sagar Tourism Property, run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited (WBTDCL), is one of the biggest properties in the area.

Bharat Seva Ashram offers clean rooms minus any frills. The ISKON Ashram guesthouse also offers both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms. 

The West Bengal government also sets up a number of pilgrim shelters during the Gangasagar Mela.

Visitors can enjoy the pristine Sagar beach and also visit the Sagar Lighthouse.

Ganga Sagar Mela 2026 starts on 10 January and will continue till 17 January. The holy dip is scheduled from 1.14pm on 14 January to 15 January.