West Bengal: Lakhs Of Pilgrims Take Holy Dip On Makar Sankranti At Gangasagar And Hooghly River

Kolkata: Lakhs of pilgrims on Tuesday took holy dip not just in Gangasagar (confluence of Hooghly river with Bay of Bengal) but also at Hooghly river in Kolkata on the occasion of ‘Makar Sankranti’.

Braving cold, people were seen standing in long lines outside Kapil Muni’s Ashram in Gangasagar in South 24 parganas. The state government had made several elaborate arrangements for the saints and also for common people who visit Sagar Island for the holy dip.

A family from Maharashtra confirmed to FPJ that this year they could not make it to Sagar Island this year for which they have taken the holy dip in Babu ghat in central Kolkata. Another family from Karnataka said that every year they visit their relatives who reside in Kolkata to take part in the holy dip in Hooghly.

Notably, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while inaugurating the Gangasagar Mela on January 6 had once again urged the central government to give ‘national status’ to Gangasagar Mela as given to Kumbh Mela. A health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakhs is also made if any casualty happens during the fair.