Ganga Sagar (Sagar Island)
The basics
Ganga Sagar is also home to a few temples, the most notable of which are the Kapil Muni Temple and the Bharat Sevashram Sangha Temple. Apart from its religious significance, Ganga Sagar also has a beach, a marine park, and a lighthouse with excellent sunrise and sunset views over the beach and port. Although the island is technically part of the Sundarbans, it lacks the region's characteristic mangroves.
Things to know before you go
- Ganga Sagar makes a good, if off-the-beaten-path stopover en route to Sundarban forests, particularly if you’re interested in Hindu practices.
- If visiting temples or engaging in religious ceremonies, remember to dress conservatively and remove your shoes.
- Bring sunscreen and bug spray and wear comfortable footwear.
How to get there
The easiest way to get to the island is by visiting in a taxi or as part of a private tour to the Sundarbans. There is no road connection between Ganga Sagar and the mainland, so you have to catch a ferry from either Namkhana or Harwood Point. From Kolkata, the journey to the island takes about four hours.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The island is best visited during the annual Makar Sankranti festival, held annually in the middle of January, during which crowds of pilgrims descend onto the island to ritually bathe at the convergence of the Bay of Bengal and the Ganges River. The wet monsoon season (late June through September) is best avoided, as it can rain for days and get muddy or flood.
The Kapil Muni Temple
The Kapil Muni Temple, one of the most important religious sites on the island, is dedicated to the mythological sage Kapil Muni, believed to be an incarnation of the god Vishnu. Throughout the year, but especially during festival time, people from around India and the world come to the temple to pray.
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