On Tuesday, the Indian Coast Guard initiated a significant rescue mission following the grounding of a ferry boat carrying 400 pilgrims near Namkhana, Kakdwip area, close to the Gangasagar pilgrimage site in West Bengal. Hovercrafts from Haldia were deployed for the rescue operation, with approximately 140 pilgrims already rescued, and efforts are ongoing, as confirmed by the Indian Coast Guard.
The pilgrims, who had participated in the Gangasagar pilgrimage and taken a holy dip on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, were returning when their boat ran aground due to poor visibility.
Simultaneously, Sagardwip in West Bengal witnessed a large gathering of devotees during the Gangasagar Mela on Makar Sankranti, where they took a holy dip. Makar Sankranti contributes to the festive ambiance, heightening the cultural and religious significance of the event.
Sagardwip, located off the Bengal coast, is known for its exceptional beauty and religious importance, particularly due to the confluence of the Ganga River and the Bay of Bengal, creating a spiritually enchanting atmosphere.
The Gangasagar Mela, the second-largest fair after the Kumbh Mela, commences on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, typically falling between January 14 and 15 each year, concluding on January 17. This annual fair, held at one of the oldest and prominent pilgrimage sites in the country, attracts devotees who partake in a holy dip in the sacred waters of the Ganga at Sagardweep, where the river merges with the Bay of Bengal.