11/25/22, 10:10 PM "History of Gangesagar and Makar Sankranti".

Rana Chakraborty

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"History of Gangesagar and Makar Sankranti". Rana

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● Pictured – A scene from the Gangesagar Fair in West Bengal taken in the 1880s. A saint keeps himself Bengali food habits in history an
upright with the help of a rope (so that he cannot lie or sit in any position) chanting the name of God day and Portuguese influence on Bengal
night. The picture was taken by British photographer TA Rust. Chakraborty
(Photo courtesy - British Library, United Kingdom.) May 24, 2019

The Gangesagar Sangam is a particularly important Mahatirtha in Indian Vedic culture and literature. From
very ancient times, the saints of the spiritual path, sages, saints took refuge in the banks of the Ganga and
they attained their ultimate attainment. Countless monasteries, temples, shrines and shrines have been built
on both banks of the Ganga. Pilgrimage to the banks of the Ganges, recitation of scriptures, charity,
austerities, chanting, sraddhakriti, Whatever deity worship is performed gives multifold results. So, attracted
by the sanctity of the Ganges, the saints took refuge in the holy banks of the Ganges. Maharishi Kapil Dev's
Sadhana is Gangasagar Sangam. This famous pilgrimage site is a great place of pilgrimage for saints and
religious people. The lowland between the river and the sea at the southern end of the geographical
boundary of Bangladesh is known as the Gangesagara confluence. It was here that 60 thousand children of Recent Posts
Sagar Raj were destroyed by the chanting of the meditating Kapildev. Kapilmuni said to Anshuman who
came in search of the children of the sea - only if the virtuous Ganga Devi comes and anoints them, they can
be freed. Then Sagarraj, Angshuman, Dilip did a lot of austerities and brought Ganga from above and Andaman Travel Artisan or Blue
brought her to the shore of the sea near Kapildev's ashram. Munivar welcomed Ganga Devi and told about Suman Dan
the misfortune of the children of the sea. Trilokpavani Maa Gangadevi then gave divine speed to the burnt November 09, 2022
children of Sagar with holy water. By the touch of the holy water of the Ganges, the children of Sagar were
freed. This is the wide expanse of white sandy beach, the nearby green forests, the land adorned with What is 'religious minority' in our
boundless beauty is the confluence of the Ganges and the Sea. 
Rana
July 20, 2022

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11/25/22, 10:10 PM "History of Gangesagar and Makar Sankranti". Rana Chakraborty
Gangasagar Sangam Mahatirtha is not for one time or one day, Gangasagar Sangam Nitya Mahatirtha. Homeopathy is an alternative m
BecauseBengali
the greatnessEnglish

of Gangasagar Mahatirtha is immense, indescribable and immeasurable. In the
Skanda Purana, it is said that the results of human pilgrimage, charity, austerities, worship of gods and
Mahbub
July 20, 2022
sacrifices, are only obtained by bathing in the confluence of the Ganges.
#अधिचित_बक्यावयाय फ़रण- #Pard
"Lavte Purusha: Sarvanga Sanatva Sagar Sangam."  Sabyasachi Govt
July 20, 2022
In the Padma Purana there is a duty to take refuge only in the Ganga in the Kali Yuga.
Leave the song out of your voice
"Kalau Ganga Samashreya." Bholanath Das
September 02, 2021
Those who are physically unable to bathe in the Ganges, if -

“Ganga Gangeti Yo Bruat Yojnang Shatairpi. Muchyante sarva papevya vishnulokong sa gachti.” 

That is, if one sits a hundred yojanas (800 miles) away with devotion and calls out “Ganga Ganga” freed
from all kinds of sins, he also travels to the people of Lord Vishnu.

The main attraction of the Gangasagar Mela is the temple of Srikapil Dev. Kapildev is seated in padmasana
posture in Srimandir. In his left hand is kamandul, in right hand is rosary, on his head is Panchanag
chhatravat. To the south of Srikapil Dev is the idol of Sri Ganga Devi. He is a quadratic and Capricorn
vehicle. Conch, Lotus, Amritakumbha and Varabhaya are among Srihastas. Mahataps Bhagirath in front. On
the left side of Kapil Dev's idol, Sagar Raj Bhakti was standing in humble posture. Lakhs of devotees will
take Mahashana at this confluence of Gangesagar on Sunday 14 January Makar Sankranti day. Ganga
bathing, Ganga Puja, Ganga Tarpanadi will be performed on that day with great reverence. Special Mantras
for Makar Snan at Gangesagar Sangam, viz.-

“Twang Dev Saritang Nath Twang Devi Saritambare.

Both: sangame snatva munchami duritani vai.”

It is obligatory to bathe by chanting this mantra. At the end of the bath, donation is important.

Trilok Pabni Gangadevi came to this world to save the living beings. So we pray at the feet of Triloka Jani
Gangadevi on this Mahatirtha Gangesagar Sangam on Makar Sankranti Snan Mahotsav -
"O Mother Ganges! As you blessed the land of Bharata with the natural wealth of sujala-sufla-sya-shyamala
and enriched the goddess Vasundhara, provided the ultimate welfare for the children of the burnt ocean, so-
“O peace-making Karini! O Prantartiharini Jaganmat! To the living beings afflicted with sorrow and suffering,
burnt by the three heats, and crying in pain, provide the supreme welfare by flowing the sweet essence from
your waves and infusing their hearts heated by the three heats with the touch of cool peace and bliss.

So much for the serious discussion of the guru of the scriptures. Actually, the Ganga Sagar Mela is a fair and
religious festival held every year on Makrar Sankranti at Kapilmani Ashram on the southern tip of Sagar
Island in the south of West Bengal. The confluence of the Ganga River (Hooghly River) and the Bay of
Bengal is called Gangesagar. It is a place of pilgrimage on one side and a fairground on the other. The
Gangesagar-Mela is connected with these two. Since when this fair started i.e. no year date is available till
date. Almost all the ancient Punthis, Puranas or texts of India mention this fair. Gangasagar Mela, the
second largest fair after Kumbh Mela in India and one of the oldest fairs.

The Hooghly River (Ganges River) flows into the Bay of Bengal at the southern tip of Sagar Dwip. This sea
island is an island located on the continental shelf of the Bay of Bengal. This island is located 100 km away
from Kolkata city. This famous pilgrimage site Gangasagar is built around the folk tale of the return of the
Ganga River to the dead and the sacrifice of the sons of Sagar Raja.

Gangasagar Mela is the second largest Hindu fair (after Kumbh Mela). South of Sagar Island, the Hooghly
River flows into the Bay of Bengal. This place is sacred to Hindus. So every year on the day of Makar
Sankranti many people come here for pilgrimage; However, the crowd of non-Bengali pilgrims from Bihar-
Uttar Pradesh is the largest.

Legend has it, Kapilmuni, the progenitor of Sankhyadarshan, had an ashram here. Once, sixty thousand
sons of Sagar Raja were consumed by Kapilmuni's wrath and their souls were thrown into hell. Sagara's
grandson Bhagiratha brought the Ganga from heaven to wash away the ashes of Sagara's sons and set
their souls free (Ramayana, Balkanda, Chapter 43). The Gangesagar Tirtha is mentioned in the Pilgrimage
section of the Mahabharata's Van Parva. An inscription of King Devapala of the Palavamsa mentions him
performing rituals at the Gangesagar-Sangam confluence. According to folklore, there was an ashram of
Kapil Muni here. Once it disappeared into the ocean. Then again the Ashram was established (when, No
year date is available for him). The gathering of his devotees around the ashram continued to grow. Kapil
Muni's ashram, which is seen at Gangasagar today, has been renovated many times by many. Every year in
the middle of January, on the auspicious day of Makarasankranti or Poush-Sankranti, lakhs of people gather
in this Sangam. A big fair called Gangasagar-Mela has developed around this gathering.

The special attraction of Himalayan saints fair. Ignoring the severe cold, they are observing their religious
rules in a state of being uncovered only by covering themselves with chaivasm. Besides the government,
many voluntary organizations are involved in service activities starting from first aid at the fair. Forgetting
caste, pushing away all narrowness, an India of unity started in this fair.

Paush Sankranti or Makar Sankranti: Paush Sankranti or Makar Sankranti is a special festival day in Bengali
culture. This festival is celebrated on the last day of Bangla Poush month. On this day, Bengalis organize
various kinds of events. One of them is eating pita and flying kites. In earlier days, the festival was concluded
with kite flying throughout the day followed by bursting of firecrackers and lighting of lanterns in the evening.
The traditional Jaydev Mela is held around this day in the Kenduli village of Birbhum, India. Baul song is one
of the attractions of this fair. 

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11/25/22, 10:10 PM "History of Gangesagar and Makar Sankranti". Rana Chakraborty
Makar Sankranti is basically an astrological moment. The term 'Makarsankranti' refers to the entry of the Sun
into Capricorn
Bengalifrom its English 
own orbit. According to Indian Astrology 'Sankranti' is a Sanskrit word which means
the transit of the sun from one sign to another. There are total 12 such sankranti according to 12 rashis.

● Poush Parvan in West Bengal – Makar Sankranti or Poush Sankranti is basically the new harvest festival
'Poush Parvan' celebrated in West Bengal. A variety of traditional pithas are made with new rice, date
jaggery and patali, which requires rice flour, coconut, milk and date jaggery. Apart from the festival of new
harvest, Makarasankranti is also known as the 'beginning of ascension' in Indian culture. It marks the end of
the inauspicious period, which, according to the calendar, begins in mid-January.
● Auni Bauni- Auni Bauni (literally Aoni Baoni) or Agalwa Paush is a crop festival celebrated on the occasion
of Sankranti. This festival is a special event celebrated in the farmer's family on the occasion of harvesting
the first ripe paddy from the field. During the Hemanta period, a few ripe rice heads are brought to the house
as a symbol of the first harvest of Aman paddy and certain rituals are performed. In West Bengal, 'Auni
Bauni' is made by braiding two or three rice husks on the day of Paush Sankranti. There is also a custom to
make 'Auni Bauni' by twisting two or three straws together long and entwining them with rice husks, mullo
flowers, mustard-flowers, ampata etc. This Auni Bauni is served on rice balls, dhenki, baks-petra-toranga
etc. and on straw rice. A sacred event is observed throughout the year, considering the first harvest of the
year as sacred and auspicious. This ritual is called 'Auni Bauni'.
● Different names of this festival in different countries- Festivals are celebrated around this day or moment in
different countries of the world, especially in South Asia. The day is celebrated as Maghi in Nepal, Sangkran
in Thailand, Pi Ma Lao in Laos, Thing Yan in Myanmar and Maha Sangkran in Cambodia. Of course, the
type of festival varies from country to country, just like its name.
● Events celebrated on the same day in different states of India- In the northern and western states of India,
the festival is celebrated as Sankranti Day with great interest and enthusiasm. The ancient epic
Mahabharata also mentions the significance of this day. So apart from social and geographical importance,
this day carries historical and religious significance.
The festival is celebrated on a much grander scale in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Kite festivals are
celebrated by people to express their wishes to the Sun God through beautiful kites, which basically serve as
a metaphor or symbol for reaching out to the beloved deity. The main attraction of the event is the cock fight
held in villages and coastal areas. Makarasankranti is also manifested by paying homage to Saraswati, the
goddess of love, desire and wisdom. As the festival is celebrated in the middle of winter, the food is prepared
in this festival, which keeps the body warm and gives a lot of energy. Sesame laddu made with jaggery is
one of the delicacies of this festival. In Maharashtra it is called 'Tilgul'. In Karnataka it is called 'Illu Billa'. In
some other provinces cattle are decorated in different colors and jumped over fire...!

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