On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, a significant number of pilgrims from various parts of the country participated in the sacred dip at the confluence of the Ganga River and the Bay of Bengal in the early hours of Monday, as reported by a senior official of the state government.
The current gathering has surpassed 65 lakhs, with a substantial portion having already taken the holy dip, according to the official. Pilgrims also engaged in prayers at the Kapil Muni Temple, a customary practice during Makar Sankranti. Each year, a multitude of devotees converge at Gangasagar to partake in the ritualistic dip and pay homage at the Kapil Muni Temple.
Due to the large congregation, the state government has heightened security measures on Sagar Island. In addition to state police, personnel from NDRF, SDRF, and the Coast Guard have been stationed with the necessary equipment to respond to any unforeseen events.
"Nearly 65 lakh pilgrims have visited Gangasagar Mela till Sunday noon since the opening of the fair on January 8," stated Aroop Biswas, the state Power and Sports minister. He further mentioned that the fairground, sprawling across the beach, is now under the surveillance of approximately 1,100 CCTV cameras and 22 drones.
To ensure the safety of the event, 14,000 policemen have been deployed, 45 watch towers erected, and pilgrims are being transported to Sagar Island via 36 vessels, 100 launches, and six barges across 22 jetties. Additionally, 300 fog lights have been installed along the Muriganga River.