GANGASAGAR
Gangasagar is a village and also a village panchayat of the Sagar Island CD block in the Kakdwip subdivision of the south 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The village of Gangasagar is a part Sagar Island and is situated in the southern tip of the Gangetic Delta lying on the continental shelf of Bay of Bengal. Gangasagar as a sub-division of Kakdwip is a part of Sunderban settlements and administration. Gangasagar is the place where River Ganges after traveling thousands of miles finally meets the sea. Sagar Island or Gangasagar is a triangular shaped island spread over an area of 224 sq. km with over 40 villages and among which village Gangasagar is the biggest and the most noteworthy. Although Sagar Island or Gangasagar is a part of Sunderban settlement, but it does not have any mangrove forests, tiger habitation or any small river tributaries in and around the island as Gangasagar is an overall delta. Instead this un-spoilt beach of Gangasagar on the estuary of the River Ganges attracts more than lakhs of tourists throughout the year for its charming beauty of silver sand, clear blue sky and the calm sea where one can spend their weekend in absolute tranquillity. As the sky turns golden with a patch of red on the horizon and the silver sands reflects the last rays of the sun during that time Gangasagar seems nothing less than a fairy land. Apart from all these Sagar Island or Gangasagar is a very popular Hindu pilgrimage centre in India. On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti a special fair is held here known as Gangasagar Mela where millions of Hindu devotees from across India and abroad also visits here in order to take a holy dip in the waters of the confluence of River Ganges (Hoogly) and Bay of Bengal. Gangasagar finds mention in many tales of Hindu mythology and in ancient Indian literature like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, a novel of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay and a poem of Rabindranath Tagore.
Activities and attractions around Gangasagar (Sagardwip Island):
Being a coastal island or a Gangetic Delta, Gangasagar or Sagardwip Island has a great significance both in terms of tourism and religious beliefs. In and around Gangasagar there are few local watchable which are worth visiting.
- Gangasagar Beach (Sagar Island Beach): The Sagar Beach or Sagardwip Beach is situated at the tip of Sagardwip Island and is popularly known as Gangasagar. This is place where countless devotes visits every year to take a holy dip in the confluence point of River Ganges with that of Bay of Bengal. Apart from that Sagar Island Beach or Gangasagar beach also offers stunning view of morning sunrise and evening sunset.
- Gangasagar Fair (Mela): Gangasagar Fair or Gangasagar Mela is the most popular attraction of Gangasagar or Sagardwip Island which held on the occasion of Makar Sankranti (mid of January). At Gangasagar Mela countless devotes from across India visit Sagar Island in order to take a holy dip in the Ganges. Gangasagar Mela is considered the second largest congregation of mankind after the Kumbh Mela. At the time of Gangasagar Mela the beach area gets overcrowded and one can witness make shift stalls selling different items from food to home decorative and handicrafts. Gangasagar Mela is the time when Sagar Island or Gangasagar gets the maximum footfalls of tourists along with pilgrims. Every year at the time of Gangasagar Mela, the island becomes a melting pot of culture, belief and faith.
- The Sagar Island Lighthouse: The Sagar Island Lighthouse or Sagardwip Lighthouse is in the vicinity of the beach near the port of Beguakhali. The Gangasagar Lighthouse is open for tourists visit and offers stunning view of surrounding place along with a panoramic view of Gangasagar beach and the coastal area. The Lighthouse is a part of Sagar Marine Park and is the most noteworthy spot to witness both sunrise and sunset view. This Lighthouse is an ideal spot for photography fanatics.
- Kapil Muni Ashram: The Kapil Muni Ashram is the most popular shrine of Sagar Island or Gangasagar. The temple is associated with ancient Sage Kapil and pilgrims after their holy dip in the Ganges visits the temple to offer their prayers to the deity. The present structure of Kapil Muni Ashram was built in 1973 as the earlier three structures fell victim to storms and dashing sea waves. The first one was built by Rani Satyabhama as early as in 437 AD. Kapil Muni Temple houses the idols of Kapil Muni, Ganga, Bhagirathi, Indra and Sagar. The Kapil Muni Ashram is at a walking distance of 700 meters from the Gangasagar confluence point.
- Bharat Seva Ashram: The Bharat Seva Ashram at Gangasagar was established by Sri Kanai Maharaj during the third phase of the 19th century and the foundation stone of the temple was laid by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai in 1979. Bigger in size than the Kapil Muni Temple, the Bharat Sevashram Sangha temple has three gigantic towers. The Bharat Seva Ashram is dedicated to offer accommodations to both pilgrims and tourists visiting Gangasagar.
- Omkarnath Temple: Omkarnath Temple is another noteworthy sacred temple of Gangasagar dedicated to Lord Omkarnath and his teachings. Omkarnath Temple is set amidst lush greenery and remains less crowded hence make it an ideal spot for pilgrims and visitors to pray in tranquillity.
- Sajnekhali: Sajnekhali is the gateway to the Sunderbans with a head office of Forest Department. From Gangasagar in a day tour tourists can easily visit Sajnekhali situated under Gosaba Block. There is a watch tower at Sajnekhali that offers panoramic views of the Sunderban area and is also at a close proximity to the tourist lodge. At Sajnekhali watch tower complex tourists can also witness Nature Interpretation Centre, Bon Bibi Temple and Crocodile Park. Apart from these Sajnekhali is also a known place to spot the movements of Royal Bengal Tigers and tourists can also spot numerous species of wild animals and birds from the watch tower. To know more about Sunderban -> CLICK HERE
- Bakkhali: Bakkhali is another very popular weekend gateway from Kolkata and other nearby places. From Gangasagar at a distance of 73.8 km away is Bakkhali located and tourists in a day trip from Gangasagar can easily visit Bakhhali and its surround places like Frezergunj and Henry’s Island. Bakkhali is also one of the most scenic deltaic islands of South Bengal and the 08 km long beach offers a tranquil atmosphere with stunning views of both sunrise and sunset. To know more about Bakkhali -> CLICK HERE
How to reach:
By Air: As Gangasagar is a deltaic island hence it is not directly connected with any airport. But the nearest airport to Gangasagar is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport at Kolkata located at a distance of 142 km away. From Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport tourists need to board either train (from Sealdah upto Kakdwip or Namkhana), or bus (from Esplanade upto Harwood point) or by private cars upto Harwood Point and complete the rest of the journey by ferry services.
By Train: Ganngasagar or Sagar Island is not connected directly with train route, but from Sealdah railway station tourists can board suburban trains to Kakdwip or Namkhana. From Namkhana tourists need to reach Chemaguri across River Muriganga. From Chemaguri vehicles and buses ply to Gangasagar which is around 10 km away. Or from Sealdah by Kakdwip bound trains one need to reach at Harwood point and from there tourists need to cross River Muriganga and reach at Kachuberia. From Kachuberia buses ply to Gangagasar which is about 30 km away.
By Road: From Babughat or Esplanade bus terminus tourists can board bus services upto Kakdwip which is about 03 hours long journey. From Kakdwip tourists need to cross River Muriganga by ferry service and reach at Kachuberia. From Kachuberia bus services are available to reach Gangasagar or Sagar Island. From Kolkata by all the possible break journeys it takes about 05 hours to reach Gangasagar or Sagar Island.
Apart from these public transports are available for both tourists and pilgrims to travel conveniently in and around Gangasagar.
Best time to visit:
Being a deltaic island it is convenient to visit Gangasagar during the onset of winter from October upto post winter March, as during this time the climate of Gangasagar remains pleasant and tourists can easily travel from one place to another. But the most tourists and pilgrims footfalls occur in the month of January during the time of Gangasagar Mela or Gangasagar Fair.
WBTDCL GANGASAGAR TOURISM PROPERTY
WBTDCL Gangasagar Tourism Property at Gangasagar is so far the most luxurious and best possible accommodation available at Gangasagar. All rooms of WBTDCL Gangasagar Tourism Property are quiet spacious and in good condition with very co-operative staffs. WBTDCL Gangasagar Tourism Property has very clean and tidy premises with all cottage typed accommodations. WBTDCL Gangasagar Tourism Property is located very close to Gangasagar beach and tourists can easily reach at the beach premises from the property by walking. WBTDCL Gangasagar Tourism Property is built on a huge area with open from all sides and tourists can easily roam in and around the property. Rooms are also quiet airy. WBTDCL Gangasagar Tourism Property like other WBTDCL properties also serves tourists with complimentary breakfast. Inside the premises of WBTDCL Gangasagar Tourism Property there is a big lawn where tourists can relax.
Amenities available:
Spacious rooms with attached western toilets.
24 hours generator facility.
All rooms are suit category with AC facility.
Car parking area.
Geyser for running hot water.
In house restaurant facility.
Room service available.
Colour Television in all rooms.
Electric Kettle and mini fridge.
Tariff:
AC Suite Double Bed Rooms: 3000/-
Taxes as applicable, payable at spot.
Complimentary breakfast with the above tariff.
Senior citizens discount @ 10/- on (Mon, Tues, Wed and Thursday).
No discount is allowed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and on any public holidays.
Extra person charge @ 20% on the room tariff, payable at spot.
HOW TO BOOK: Call 9831311606 , 9830381306 and get the current rooms availability status or use the query form below. Or visit us at 8C Shanti Ghosh Street, Kolkata – 700003, near Manindra Chandra College. Or drop your query by Whats app in the above numbers.
