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Samskruti Foundation

Ganga Sagar Mela on the confluence of river and sea

Annapoorni V V1

1Research Assistant, Samskruti Foundation

annapoornivv.sf@gmail.com 

The confluence of Ganga river and the Bengal Sagar symbolizes the principle of oneness that Bharat holds on our traditions. It is believed that taking a holy dip in this confluence can lead the person to attain moksha which is the goal of life or the ultimate puruṣārtha. Ganga Sagar Mela is celebrated on the eve of Makar Sankranti where sun starts moving from the Sagittarius to Capricorn. This article deals with the Gangasagar Mela and its significance as a Jala-utsav.

Ganga Sagar Mela is celebrated on the confluence of River Ganga as its distributary Hoogly joins the Bay of Bengal. On the eve of Makar Sankranti, people take a dip known as ‘Shahi snan’ in this confluence as per Hindu beliefs of attaining liberation. Rituals of Ganga Sagar Mela span for three days. Throwing the sacred thread into the creek of the river- Panca Ratna - and performing shraddha for departed parents are rituals performed during Ganga Sagar Mela. After the holy dip in the confluence of River Hoogly and Bengal Sagar, devotees go to Kapil Muni temple to perform puja. Kapila Muni was the propounder of Samkhya darshana. Because of this sage River Ganga came to the earth with the effort of Bhagiratha who was the descendant of Sagar Raja, and went to heaven and brought her to free his condemned ancestors (Mythological significance). Thus, river Ganga became a pathway for freeing the condemned souls of ancestors and attaining moksha. Still, people believe this and they took holy dip in Ganga during Gangasagar Mela.

Sagar Sangrahalaya is an innovative approach to provide an opportunity for pilgrims to reminisce the history of Gangasagar in an interactive way that began in 2022 during Gangasagar Mela. Sagar Arati is also performed by the authorities that can be witnessed by the devotees. Sagar Sangam, a talk show about various facets of Gangasagar, is another initiative launched by district authorities in Ganga Sagar Mela 2022 (Our proud initiatives).

Ganga Sagar Mela is the second largest congregation of people in the world after the Kumbh Mela ((Halder & Baksi, 2025), (Our proud initiatives)). Hence, each new initiative implemented during this Jala- Utsav such as the cleaning drive, knowledge sharing and awakening of Bharatiya Samskruti can be highly effective in protecting the water quality and environment.

References
  1. Halder, M., & Baksi, S. (2025, January 10). Gangasagar-mela-pilgrimage-and-development-at-the-sagar-island. Academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/7626104/Gangasagar_Mela_Pilgrimage_and_Development_at_the_Sagar_Island
  2. Mythological significance. GangaSagar. https://www.gangasagar.in/en/mythologicalsignificance.html
  3. Our proud initiatives. GangaSagar. https://www.gangasagar.in/index.html
  4. Ritual significance. GangaSagar. https://www.gangasagar.in/en/ritualssignificance.html