Two pilgrims die during Makar Sankranti event at Gangasagar

“On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, around 40 lakh pilgrims have come to the Gangasagar Mela since January 5. Most of them have left for home,” Minister of State Power and Sports Department, Arup Biswas, who is in charge of the fair, told a press conference.

Braving the cold weather condition, lakhs of devotees took the holy dip and offered prayers at the Kapil Muni Ashram, as the auspicious hour began at 6.53 pm. It will last for 24 hours and many pilgrims are expected to do the same on Sunday.

Of the two pilgrims who died on Saturday, 72-year-old Pratapchandra Giri had come from Odisha while the other, Biola Devi (73), was a resident of Bihar.

The minister said that so far, around 3,500 devotees availed of the ‘e-snan’ service in which the holy water of Gangasagar is delivered to the doorstep of the person who orders it online.

A three-tiered security ring has been formed and two separate ghats have been arranged for pilgrims. Additional bio-toilets have been provided. The cost of the fair has been estimated at Rs 150 crore.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has given the task of managing the Gangasagar Mela to a group of ministers. For the past two days, the ministers in charge have been stationed in Sagar island one by one.

The responsibilities of the ministers have also been distributed accordingly. Firhad Hakim, Minister of Public Works and Urban Development and Mayor of Kolkata, is staying at Kakdwip Lot-8 from Saturday. Minister of State for Transport Dilip Mondal has been asked to stay with him in Lot-8. Apart from this, local MLA and former minister Monturam Pakhira has been asked to take measures for the convenience of pilgrims to Kakdwip.