Best Places to Visit in Gangasagar

Gangasagar or Sagar Island is a holy place where every Hindu wants to visit once in his life. We know that Hindu people live in all countries of the world. But they definitely come here once in a lifetime. Every year more and more people come here during the Gangasagar Mela. Come and visit the best places to visit in Gangasagar.

E-registration will be necessary for pilgrims in Gangasagar Mela – Apply Here

There is a saying in Bengal;

“Sab tirtha bar bar, Gangasagar ekbar”

It means we can visit all the pilgrimages again and again in life, but Gangasagar comes only once in life.

So, think about this places to visit in Gangasagar. Which is situated in the Ganges delta, lying on the continental shelf of Bay of Bengal about 100 kms south of Kolkata.

Gangasagar is an attractive tourist destination, which attracts both pilgrims and adventure lovers.

Here, you can see silver sand and clear blue sky and calm sea for the visitors who want to spend their weekend in peace.

Let us see which are the best places or places to visit in Sagar Island?

Before we know about all the best places in Sagar Island, let us know about this island in detail.

Visit to Sagar Island

Although it is an island but everyone is known as Gangasagar. Where the Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal.

Sagar Island is a part of South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. It is an island in the Ganges Delta, located on the continental shelf of the Bay of Bengal, about 100 km south of Kolkata.

Sagar Island is also a part of Sundarbans. Here, it has no tiger habitat, but has some mangrove forests and small river tributaries, as is characteristic of the overall Sundarbans delta.

It can be reached by local train, road and ferry service.

Route Map of Sagar Island

Nearby Train Station to reach Gangasagar

You get a nearest railway stations at Kakdwip.

Sealdah to Kakdwip (By Namkhana Local Train) then take Ferry route (Nearest Ferry Ghat is Lot 8 or Harwood Point)

Reach Gangasagar from Kolkata

Bus Route:- Esplanade to Harwood point (The ride will take around three hours to travel) then take Ferry route (Nearest Ferry Ghat is Lot 8 or Harwood Point)

Ferry Route:- Kolkata or Howrah to Gangasagar (Take around 3 Hours)

Remember Helicopter service is also available during Makar Sankranti.

Bike or Car Route:- This is the shortest route as you can see in map. Enjoy The Ride.

You may interested: Unique Tourist Places To Visit In Kolkata

Best Places to Visit in Gangasagar or Sagar Island

Sagar Beach

Sagar Beach is situated at the tip of Sagar Island or Gangasagar. The beach fills up with thousands of tourists every year to take a holy dip in the Ganges.

Here on the beach is otherwise a quiet, soothing spot to enjoy the sunset.

Kapil Muni Ashram

Kapil Muni Temple is one such attraction where pilgrims usually visit after taking a dip.

The temple dedicated to Saint Kapil Muni is the main attraction of Sagardwip.

Visit the temples during the evening aarti. Very quiet place.

Sagar Lighthouse

Near the beach there is a light house in Sagar Island.

Lighthouse gives you a beautiful view of the surrounding place.

This lighthouse is the perfect place to capture this earthy city.

Ganga Sagar Mela

Ganga Sagar Mela is the second most popular fair after Kumbh Mela.

The festival has a cultural and spiritual significance where pilgrims take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges to purify their souls.

It is a very famous place for Hindu pilgrims. Every year around 2.5 million Hindu pilgrims from different parts of India arrive there to take a bath on a special day called ‘Makar Sankranti’ (January 14).

Bharat Sewa Sangh Ashram

Bharat Seva Ashram is a small ashram run by a trust in Ganga Sagar.

It has a very nice temple there and they have infrastructure to accommodate 2000 pilgrims at a time.

Omkarnath Ashram

Omkarnath Temple is another very holy temple in Gangasagar.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Omkar and his teachings.

Omkarnath Temple is a very peaceful atmosphere in the temple. There is very less crowd and you can pray here at your own pace.

You may interested to Visit: Mayapur & Nabadwip Dham

Travel Tips

• Carry mosquito nets and snake repellent as snake bites have a high mortality rate.
• You can carry warm clothes, as it can be a bit cold.
• Must Carry emergency lights.
• Do not travel at night.
• Don’t mess around to avoid government fines.

Visit: Gangasagar Mela Official Website

Things to do in Gangasagar

Gangasagar, also known as Sagar Island, is a popular pilgrimage site located in the southern part of West Bengal, India. Here are some things you can do in Gangasagar:

• Take a dip in the holy waters: Gangasagar is known for its holy waters where the river Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal. Taking a dip in these waters is considered to be highly auspicious by Hindus.
• Visit the Kapil Muni Temple: This ancient temple is dedicated to Kapil Muni, a sage mentioned in Hindu mythology. It is located on the southern tip of the island and is believed to be over 350 years old.
• Attend the Gangasagar Mela: The Gangasagar Mela is a popular annual fair that takes place in January every year. It is attended by thousands of pilgrims from all over India and is a great opportunity to experience the local culture and traditions.
• Visit the lighthouse: The Gangasagar Lighthouse is located near the Kapil Muni Temple and offers stunning views of the Bay of Bengal. It is also a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset.
• Explore the nearby beaches: Gangasagar has some beautiful beaches where you can relax and unwind. Some of the popular ones include Kachuberia Beach, Frasergunj Beach, and Bakkhali Beach.
• Visit the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram: The Ramakrishna Mission Ashram is located near the Kapil Muni Temple and is dedicated to the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna. It is a great place to learn about spirituality and meditation.
• Try local cuisine: Gangasagar is famous for its seafood, especially fish curry and prawn malai curry. You can also try other local delicacies like pitha, chhena poda, and rasgulla.
• Take a boat ride: You can take a boat ride along the river Ganges and explore the nearby mangrove forests and wildlife.
• Visit the Bharat Sevashram Sangha: The Bharat Sevashram Sangha is a charitable organization that provides free medical care, education, and other services to the local community. You can visit the ashram and learn about their work.
• Enjoy the natural beauty: Gangasagar is surrounded by natural beauty, including mangrove forests, rivers, and the Bay of Bengal. You can enjoy the scenic views and take a walk along the shore.

Conclusions

The state government camps at the venue, and visitors can take accommodation there. There are many cottages and hotel rooms around the site where one can stay comfortably. Make a plan with your family and visit the holy place Gangasagar.