Gangasagar Mela 2024 - Complete Journey | West Bengal | Makar Sankranti | Sagar Island

A comprehensive account of my journey to Gangasagar Mela (also called Gangasagar Dham) at Sagar Island, West Bengal on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, 14-15 January 2024.

Gangasagar is said to be a true 'once in a lifetime' journey, and rightly so. The difficulties involved in reaching, combined with the massive crowd, and all the sights and sounds make it a very overwhelming experience.

This is a two part video.
In this video, i cover reaching Kolkata, Kakdweep and Gangasagar.
The following video covers getting back to Kolkata and some local sightseeing.
   • Gangasagar Part 2: Return to Kolkata ...  

Brief itinerary-

13 Jan 2024: Reach Kolkata from Delhi

14 Jan 2024:
Mela special bus from Kolkata Babughat bus stand to Kakdwip (Harwood Point Lot 5)
Public ferry (a.k.a. launch) from Jetty no. 4 to Kachuberia Jetty no.5
Shared taxi from Kachuberia to Mela ground, near Kapil Muni Ashram
Stayed in tented accommodation arranged by a social service organisation

15 Jan 2024:
Morning bath in the sea on Makar Sankranti

(following covered in the next video)

Return back to Kakdweep by a private 'VIP' boat
Kakdwip to Kolkata by train

16 Jan 2024:
Some Kolkata sightseeing- Howrah, Belur Math, Science City, Victoria memorial
Return flight with clear Himalayan views and a foggy landing at IGI Delhi

Chapters-

0:00 Intro and Highlights
0:49 Flying to Kolkata
1:11 Bus journey to Kakdwip
3:05 Navigating the crowd and queues
4:20 Taking a public ferry to Sagar Island
9:57 Birdwatching
11:08 Arrival on island and reaching Mela ground
15:11 Evening at Gangasagar
19:33 Kapil Muni Ashram
21:48 Morning prayers at the beach
24:20 Coming up next..

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Thank you for watching!!!