The Scale of Devotion
Every year on Sagar Island where the Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal, the Mela showcases its impressive logistics. These key indicators underscore the immense scale of the event, turning a tranquil island into a lively city for a brief period in January.
Resurgence of Faith
Attendance at the Gangasagar Mela has varied due to external influences, with a significant decline in 2021 due to restrictions imposed by the global pandemic. This led to a focus on promoting e-Snan (virtual holy dip) for local participants.
Yet, in the years that followed, there was a 'V-shaped' recovery, leading to record-breaking attendance in 2024, highlighting the lasting appeal of the event.
Source: State Government Estimates & Media Reports
The Multi-Modal Journey
Mode of Arrival to Ferry Points
Prior to arriving at the island, pilgrims navigate through a intricate system of transportation, with the railway serving as the primary mode of travel, directing large groups towards Kakdwip and Namkhana.
The Rail Network
The Sealdah South section operates over 120 special trains At the height of the Mela festivities, this densely crowded transit route serves as the main connection to the ferry docks.
The Road Corridor
Countless buses operate between Kolkata and the rural areas of Bengal, but road transport encounters heavy congestion at the 'Lot 8' bottleneck near the vessels.
The River Crossing
The ultimate bottleneck. Regardless of arrival mode, 100% of pilgrims One must rely on tidal timings to cross the Muriganga river using vessels, barges, or country boats.
The Pilgrim's Timeline
Arrival at Hardwood Point
At the mainland dock, pilgrims patiently wait in holding areas for hours until high tide arrives, allowing them to board the vessels.
Setting Camp
After arriving at Kachuberia on the island side, pilgrims journey 30 kilometers to the Mela grounds where they establish temporary shelters or open camps.
The Holy Snan (Dip)
As the sun rises on Makar Sankranti, countless individuals eagerly enter the cold waters, marking the pinnacle of spiritual cleansing to absolve sins.
Kapil Muni Temple
After taking a dip, worshipers pray at the temple of Kapil Muni, the revered sage linked to the arrival of the Ganges.
Safety & Infrastructure Grid
Managing 5 million people requires a military-grade deployment of assets.
Surveillance Matrix
Over 1,100 CCTV cameras and 25+ drones Establish a live monitoring system that links to a central command center for immediate detection of stampede dangers.
Health & Rescue
The premises have 5 temporary hospitals and air-ambulance connectivity for quick response to critical emergencies in crowded areas.
Disaster Management
At all jetties and water points, there are 2,500 Civil Defence volunteers and specialized NDRF teams on standby.
Green Mela Initiative
Sagar Island is located within the vulnerable Sundarbans ecosystem. The 'Green Mela' campaign is actively combatting the environmental effects of the pilgrimage by enforcing strict plastic bans and organizing large-scale waste management efforts.
- ✓ Zero Single-Use Plastic Zone
- ✓ 10,000+ Bio-Toilets Installed
- ✓ Organic Waste Composting