Much awaited tirath to Gangasagar

A lot of great and wise men have lived before us, and so many of them have gone through a lot of pain and joy and as a result have a lot of knowledge to share. Fortunately, some of the best sayings of these great men have been made available as quotes and people are always inspired by them.

“Saare teerath baar baar, Gangasagar ek bar”, meaning “you can go to all the holy places any number of times, but a pilgrimage to Gangasagar equals them all.”

Much awaited tirath to Gangasagar

Friends, I would like to share with you about my Tirath Yatra (Pilgrimage) to Gangasagar.  My article has turned out to be long but would really appreciate if you patiently read through as I am trying to share with you the knowledge of this yatra and its significance which I just got to know myself and would be happy to share with you.

For years on end, I had been wanting to visit Gangasagar but incidentally could not do so. Then out of the blue I got an invite from my very close relatives Mr. & Mrs. Gulab Israni. who were making a trip to Gangasagar organized by Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha, scheduled for 8^th March 2020 and to also to celebrate Holi on 9^th March 2020, on the banks of Gangasagar.  It incidentally was an auspicious day too as it was also Pūrṇimā or Pournami is the word for full moon in Sanskrit. The day of Purnima is the day in each month when the Full Moon occurs. I, of course, just could not resist myself for taking on this wonderful opportunity, so decided to make the best of it.

This whole trip inclusive of boarding and lodging was organized by Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha (BSS) at a very nominal price.  I need to introduce you to this Organisation, which started its root in Bombay in the year 1979, March 29. It is a Sindhi Organisation which makes it essential for all Sindhis to organize to come together. A strong community not only can save itself from extinction, but also can help its own progress. The Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha the Mumbai Branch was inaugurated on the same date at the hands of Shri. L. K. Advani at a function presided over by Shri Hashu Advani. It also has spread its roots all over India and is basically a charitable society.  It organizes holy trips across India and incidentally this is one of it,

A big thank you to BSS – Calcutta - as that finally my dream to visit Gagasagar came true through them on 8^th March 2020.

An Invite cum ticket

A group of approx. 150 persons consisting of friends and families met at a point in Calcutta and started our journey in the early hours of morning by Chartered Buses which took at least 4 hours. There were two buses – one was nicknamed Hare Krishna and the other was named Antakshari (which is a fun song game played between two groups, mostly men vs women). The buses were given these names to make it easy for us to know by which bus we were travelling. We also were given red caps with BSS and their logo on it, which also served as a beacon to members if we strayed from the group. when we were moving in public. Well must also tell you a bit of our journey by the bus in which I was travelling.  We were enjoying, singing bhajans which were conducted by Guruji and Guru Ma who are the followers of Iskcon Group (Hare Krishna Hare Rama).  Even on the bus I need to mention that BSS volunteers made sure that all the passengers were well taken care of and were comfortable, whereas they themselves stood all the way to and fro throughout the journey. Kudos to them.

         

                                 Guru Ma and Guruji giving pravachan on         BSS Volunteers doing seva
                                          significance of Gangasagar

To reach the Sagar Island (Gangasagar is around 135km from Kolkata) which is about 5 hours, one must cross the Muriganga river/creek by ferry service to reach Kachuberia jetty on the Sagar Island. We then travelled by ferry, which was very crowded, from Harwood point to Kachuberia (about 30 minutes) and then for an hour from there by road to Gangasagar. It was an amazing experience. 

We were put up at the Swarg Ashram (Calcutta Vastra Vyavsayi Seva Samity). We reached the Ashram by the afternoon.  Now a bit about this Ashram - which started about 27 years ago by a group of cloth merchants whereby they could through this organisation contribute towards the society and country and reach out and provide to the affected and distressed people. The fooding and lodging at this Swarg Ashram was amazing. And mind you the cleanliness was too good inspite of so many guests.             

After having settled in our allotted rooms and of course with refreshing cup of masala tea and biscuits (limitless of course), As we were so excited that not all of us felt tired, we all decided to visit the Temple of Kapil Muni by the evening.

Before we take the much awaited, Holi Dip the next morning, it is of course very important for us to know the significance of this sacred Kapil Muni Temple and Gangasagar, which I too learnt (though quite late in life but as the saying goes it is never too late) from Guru Ma who had explained it to us in detail the previous evening.

This Temple is regarded as one of the most important pilgrimage sites in West Bengal. Gangasagar is extensively visited during Makar Sankranti. Makar Sankranti or Maghi, is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to the deity Surya (sun), which is observed each year in the lunar month of Magha which corresponds with the month of January as per the Gregorian calendar and is a day the people of India celebrate their harvest. It is also related to: Pongal, Maghe Sankranti. And is also called Magha; Môkôr Sôngkrānti; Mela; and related celebrations are Kite flying, bonfires, fairs.

This Kapil Munni Temple is located on an island in the Sunderbans, the unexplored and unexploited Gangasagar, fondly known as Sagardwip and is an amazing destination for both pilgrims and adventure-lovers.

Pilgrims from all over the country come to take a holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganges and Bay of Bengal, followed by offering prayers at the Kapil Muni Temple. This temple is immersed in legendary tales and is highly revered among devotees.

This sacred place is primarily important for the Temple of Kapil Muni, the great saint who according to myth was Lord Vishnu. Kapil Muni was the son of Kardam Muni. In the myth history it was said that Kardam Muni had to go through his marital life according to the directions of Lord Vishnu, but Muni agreed this under a condition and as per the condition Muni wished to Lord Vishnu to have him as his son. As per this condition Lord Vishnu had taken birth and named Kapil Muni. Kapil Muni’s mythological story is related with that of bringing the Holy River Ganga at this place. It is something like — King Sagar ’s 60,000 sons came to this place in search of their father’s Sacrificial Horse and they found it there. The horses were stolen by Devraj Indra and hidden at ‘Patal’ (below the earth) beside Kapil Muni’s hermitage. But the king’s sons were unknown with it. When they saw Kapil Muni there, they started to blame him for stealing and interrupted Muni’s meditations. Muni became angry and his blaze of anger came out of his eyes, which burnt the king’s sons and consigned their souls into hell. Many years later the king’s grandson King Bhagirath came to Kapil Muni to beg and to pray to him to release the souls from hell. Then, according to Kapil Muni’s directions King Bhagirath brought Devi Ganga to this place and with the touch of this holy river’s water the souls got liberty. As per the myth, the souls were liberated on the day of “Makar Sankranti”

So, to release our souls from pain, sin and to earn virtue, people come here from all over India and take a holy dip in this holy Sagar (Island) and earn blessings and worship the great Saint Kapil Muni.  Mostly all pilgrimages are repeated but Gangasagar is just once--- goes an old saying – Saare Tirath Baar Baar Gangasagar Ek Baar. and the holy dip here itself is a unique experience and Kapil Muni temple has special significance - holiest and divine feeling.

             Old Gagasagar Kapil Munni Temple        New Gangasagar Kapil Munni Temple

       

Kapil Munni

Well now back to my experience of the Holy Dip. On 9^th March morning we were all ready for our holy dip, so we left for Gangasagar by auto rickshaw which are easily available outside the Ashram very nominally priced.

At the Gangasagar there was a huge crowd although it was not the usual Makar Sankranti Mela.  The tide was all anxious to rise and we walked towards the Gangasagar and were being pushed back but I was determined to go further and fulfill my wish.  Then of course, Pandits are easily available and with the help of a Pandit recited the necessary rituals. Must let you know that surprisingly the Pandits here are not at all demanding and seem to be content with whatever we gave them.  There are helping hands here too who help the aged who are not able to walk into the Ganga by pouring Ganga water (using kalash - pitcher) on them to fulfill their Ganga Ishnan (Bath).

Kalash (Pitcher)

We then all got together and celebrated the Holi festival by smearing colours and wishing each other, which was of course accompanied with music and dancing. The use of colour during the festival of Holi: God imparts unfading colour of love and delights souls with the elixir of knowledge by teaching true holiness.

Playing of Holi - smearing of colours

Special tip-------no place to keep clothes while having a dip, so keep the bag near your bath area ....and don’t go too deep and have a member from the group to keep watch while you are having a dip as chairs are available too.  

After the dip and playing of Holi in the Gangasagar, we went for the next stage of the tirth .... i.e. to the temple of Kapil Muni to offer our prayers. Devotees were everywhere. Fortunately, the auto stand was very close to the temple making it easy for our darshan.  Inside the temple it was peaceful, religious and systematic. There were many idols for worship and the Pandits were around to help us with the darshan. Kapil Muni temple at Gangasagar is a place where the pandits do not demand anything so one can pray freely.

Outside the temple there are shops selling snacks/food, sweets, and souvenirs. We left immediately after the prayers using the same transport which we had used initially and returned to the Ashram.

 
After a shower followed by lunch, we had to rush back to the jetty so as not to miss the ferry for our return journey. The timings of the ferry are not fixed due to the rise or fall of the tide. The last lapse of our bus ride was taken via Diamond Harbour another beautiful place to visit. Yes of course we stopped by near the Ganga to have a cuppa of tea in a barr and proceeded with the bus ride singing merrily and talking of our experiences and keeping in mind our memories of our journey. This completed the memorable pilgrimage of Gangasagar. We all parted company by wishing each other and of course  hoping to meet again for another tirath yatra to another Holy place soon.  . Soo till then …….

I would like to end with an old saying – “All’s well that ends”.  .

Parsan Narang

Calcutta

14^th March 2020