Gangasagar Mela
The Gangasagar Mela () is a mela held every years at Gangasagar, West Bengal, India. The confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal is called the Gangasagar, the fair is held every year on Makar Sankranti at Kapilmuni's ashram located on the Gangasagar. The mela is celebrated on 14 or 15 January every year.

Gangasagar Mela is the second largest Hindu fair (after Kumbh Mela). Many people from different states of India come here every year to take a holy bath on Makar Sankranti day.

In 2023, State minister Aroop Biswas said about 51 lakhs devotees gathered in the mela.

History 
The Gangasagar is mentioned in the Mahabharata's Vana Parva pilgrimage. Also, King Devapala of the Pala dynasty mentions in an inscription that he performed rituals at the confluence of the Gangasagar.

There is disagreement over the exact age of Kapil Muni's ashram. The temple of Kapil Muni is mentioned in the 16th century ancient Puthi Tirthaattvapradayini (). An article about the Gangasagar Mela was printed on February 4, 1837, in the once popular Bengali newspaper Harkara (). It is written, "The one temple in this place (Sagar Dwip) has been known to people for 1400 years. In this temple there is established a Siddhapurusha named Kapil Muni.

pilgrims 
In 2007, about 300,000 pilgrims took the holy dip where the Ganges (Hooghly) meets the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Almost five-hundred thousand pilgrims thronged Gangasagar in 2008. For the rest of the year about 500,000 people come to the island. According to reports on 14 January 2018, 18-2 million people had visited Gangasagar in 2018, against 1.5 million in 2017. In 2023, about 51 lakhs pilgrims gathered in the Gangasagar Mela.

Dates, location, preparation and Rituals

Dates 
The Gangasagar Mela is organized on the occasion of the holy dip on Makar Sankranti, usually on January 14 or 15. Makar Sankranti is set by the solar cycle and corresponds to the exact time astronomical event of the Sun entering Capricorn and is observed on a day that usually falls on 14 January of the Gregorian calendar, but on 15 January in leap years. Makar Sankranti's date and time is analogous to Sidereal time of Zodiac sign of Capricorn (when sun enters).

In 2023, holy dip started on January 14, 6:30 PM and ended on January 15, 6:53 PM.

Location  

Gangasagar Mela is held at Gangasagar, Sagar Dwip. The place belongs to South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. The Mela is organized around Kapil Muni's ashram. The site of the Mela is on the banks of the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal.

Rituals 
On the day of Ganga Bathing, Hindu devotees gather early in the morning and take a holy dip in the Ganges River. They offer offerings to Lord Surya and chant Lord Surya Mantra.

After completing the rituals, people worship Kapil Muni and light a pradeep (Diya) with desi ghee. Some also perform Yajna and Homa on the day of Ganga bathing. Some devotees even observe a strict fast on Gangasana days. On this auspicious day of Ganga bathing, devotees express their gratitude to Goddess Ganga and seek forgiveness for their misdeeds knowingly or unknowingly.

Special Certificate 
The District Administration of South 24 Parganas handed over special certificates to all the pilgrims who came to Gangasagar Mela. Apart from the photo and phone number of the pilgrims, the certificates also contain a greeting message from the state government.

References 

Fairs in India
Tourism in West Bengal
Culture of West Bengal
Hindu festivals