Gangasagar Fair in West Bengal

There is a fairs held in celebration of two notify medieval personages who helped to colonize the fearful jungle of Sunderbans by their reputedly spiritual powers.

One is Pir Ghazi Mubarak Shah whose seat at Ghutiari Sharif in south. 24-Parganas district is the the scene of an annual fair at the end of the Bengali year at which pilgrims irrespective of community offer worship to the Saint at his grave.

The other is having his seat at Dhapadhapi in the same district is Dakshinary, elevated to the position of controlling deity of the ferocious tiger. A large fair is held in his honour on the day following the bathing day at Gangasagar.

A dip in the ocean, where the Ganga drains into the sea is considered to be of great religious significance particularly on the Makara Sankranti day when the sun makes a transition to Capricorn from Sagittarius and this town becomes home to vast fairs, drawing visitors and recluses from all over the state.

There is a common belief among the locals that the girls who take the holy dip get handsome grooms and the boys get beautiful brides.

Travel Information
Ganga Sagar can be approached from Kolkata either by road and then by a vessel, or by chartered luxury vessels starting from Namkhana & Kolkata.