Over 75 lakh devotees flock to Gangasagar for Makar Sankranti holy bath

In a grand congregation marking the sacred occasion of Makar Sankranti, thousands of devotees embarked on a pilgrimage to Sagardweep, the confluence of the Ganga and Indus rivers, seeking spiritual solace. The holy bath rituals at Gangasagar commenced on Sunday midnight and witnessed an overwhelming turnout from pilgrims across the nation. By Monday morning, the number of devotees participating in the sacred dip had surpassed 75 lakh, with 20 lakh taking the holy plunge in the last 24 hours alone. The auspicious time for the ritual bath extended from 12.13 am on Sunday night to 12.13 am on Monday night.

State Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shobhan Dev Chattopadhyay, along with other ministers, attended a press conference emphasizing the robust security measures in place. Security arrangements include 1150 CCTVs, 22 drones, and 10 satellite phones strategically placed to monitor various fair locations. Noteworthy was the presence of state ministers Sujit Bose, Shobhan Dev Chattopadhyay, and Indranil Sen among the faithful, taking their own dip of faith. Shankaracharya of Puri, accompanied by his followers, also participated in the ceremonial royal bath. The administration has created 17 buffer zones along the route, managing crowds at jetty ghats and ensuring pilgrim comfort. The holy bath period, closely observed with 1150 CCTV cameras, includes special worship preparations at the Kapil Muni temple and the presence of Naga ascetics camped along the sea shore.