GANGASAGAR MELA - ART AND CULTURE
News: Record
pilgrims at Gangasagar, West Bengal Ministers demand National Mela status
What's in the news?
● About
31 lakh pilgrims have come to the Gangasagar Mela since January 5, claiming
that the annual pilgrimage was turning out to be the biggest religious
gathering in the country.
Key takeaways:
● West
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has raised the demand for a ‘National Mela’ for Gangasagar Mela.
Ganga Sagar:
● It
is the largest village of Sagar Island, located under the administration of Sunderbans.
● It
is situated just off the Bengal coast on the point where the River Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal.
● It
is a place of peace, calm, golden sand beaches and of religion.
● Every
year in the month of January, the island sees a huge gathering of devotees from
all parts of the country who come to take a dip in the holy waters.
Holy dip:
● The
River Ganga is the holiest river in Hindu mythology.
● This
place is also regarded as a holy destination like Prayag and it is believed
that taking holy dip in this place can cleanse all the sins.
● The
visitors also offer prayers (puja) in the Kapil
Muni Temple.
Gangasagar Mela
● Every year, a long fair
is arranged at the Ganga Sagar Island in January and February.
● The
fair becomes highly crowded on the Makar
Sankranti day.
● It
is one of the most famous religious themed fairs in India.