Sagar Island ( West Bengal), Jan 15 (UNI) Braving chilled weather and cloudy sky, an estimated over 3 million pilgrims took holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga and Bay of Bengal to mark the auspicious Makar Sankranti on Tuesday.
The devotees, mostly the Hindu, who had assembled and gathered on the sandy beach since last night braving the chilly wind took holy dip in the wee hours and then straight walked nearly a kilometer to pay their ambiance at the Kapil Muni Temple.
West Bengal’s Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee, who has been overseeing the entire governmental arrangements for safe bathing at the confluence and happily return from this island of South 24 Parganas, told reporters that an estimated over 3 million pilgrim took bath since the Ganga Sagar mela began on January 7 last.
State youth and sports minister Arup Biswas, who also assisting his senior cabinet colleague under the directive of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, also took the holy dip to mark the end of the month of Pous.
The shahi snan first held by the Naga sadus before the breaking of dawn and then the pilgrims, who came from far flung of India and neighbouring Bangladesh, Bhutan , Nepal and Myanmar, took holy dip after wards. The bathing would go on despite the sun was paying hide and seek as grey cloud overcast the sky prompting the volunteers to be extra care to avoid any mishap in the turbulent waters.
Indian Coast Guard, policemen and local volunteers have been alert to ensure safe snan of the pilgrims of different states.
A thick blanket of security cover has been thrown in and around the holy island.
