Sagardwip Beach - West Bengal - সাগরদ্বীপ বেঅচ

Co-ordinates 21.888261, 88.684387
State West Bengal
Nearby Stations Kolkatta
Nearby Places Kolkata, Rajpur, Barupur
Other Langauge Names Hindi: सगर्द्विप बीच पश्चिम बंगाल
Bengali: সাগরদ্বীপ বেঅচ
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Sagardwip is a charming tourist destination, which attracts both the pilgrims and fun loving people. Located on an island in the Sunderban, Sagardwip possesses the charms of an unspoilt beach on the estuary of the river Ganges. Sagardwip offers acres of silver sand and clear blue sky, and the calm sea for the visitors who would like to spend their weekend in a quiet mood.

Popularly known as Gangasagar, Sagardwip is still now unexplored and therefore unexploited. The island of Sagardwip is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrimage centers in India. Every year on Makar Sankranti (mid-January), pilgrims from all over India, gather at Sagardwip for a holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganga and the Bay of Bengal. After the holy dip, the pilgrims offer ‘Puja’ at the Kapil Muni Temple or Ashram. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Gangasagar Mela is organized in this island, which is one of the biggest fairs in West Bengal. The Bharat Sevashram Sangha temple is bigger comprising three huge towers.

A lovely destination combining pilgrimage and fun, situated on an island in the Sunderban, holds the charms of a completely unspoilt beach on the estuary of the mighty Ganga. Sagardwip presents a quiet, silvery expanse of beach and the calm sea provides the perfect setting for a quiet weekend.

From Diamond Harbour one has to travel to Kakdwip (30 km. past Diamond Harbour), then to Herwood Point (Lot No. 8), cross the ferry to the other side of the river Muriganga. The other side is Kachuberia. From Kachuberia, a journey by bus, minibus or trekker to Sagar Island. West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation runs direct buses between Esplanade and Lot No. 8 and ferry vessels across the river.

On Makar Sankranti day in winter (mid-January), pilgrims from all over India congregate at Sagardwip to take a holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganga and the Bay of Bengal. After the holy dip, they offer ‘Puja’ at the nearby ashram associated with the legendary sage Kapil Muni. This has been a famous pilgrim centre from the ancient times. Gangasagar Mela, held on the occasion of Makar Sankranti is the largest fair in West Bengal.

In many tales of Hindu mythology and in ancient Indian literature like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, a novel of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay, a poem of Rabindranath Tagore, the name of Sagardwip was mentioned.

Best Time to Visit and Weather

September to June.

Travel Direction

How to Reach

Sagardwip is 135 km away from Kolkata. However, Sagardwip is nut directly liked with Kolkata, a break journey is necessary to go to Sagardwip. Get a Kakdwip-bound bus from Esplanade to Harwood Point, which reach Harwood Point after almost three hours. Cross the river Muriganga by boat and reach at Kachuberia. From Kachuberia a bus will take you to Sagardwip (30 km) within one hour. Minibus and hired car are accessible for the journey. It will take five hours to reach the island from Kolkata. On the other hand, you can take a bus to Namkhana from Kolkata to Namkhana (105) km. From Namkhana you can reach to Chemaguri across the river Muriganga by launch and from Chamaguri to Gangasagar by bus (10 km.) Boats from Harwood Point and Kachuberia are accessible every hour.

Accommodation

There are various budget hotels, guesthouses and lodges are available in Sagardwip. Hotel Larica, Youth Hostel and Bharat Sevashram Sangha guesthouse are the best options for the tourists who want to visit at Sagardwip. A number of smaller hotels are available in this island and there are no requirements for booking. The island gets electricity connection from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. There are many restaurants in Sagardwip. There are tourist lodges at Sagardwip and a Youth Hostel. Also dormitory accommodation in a dharamshala run by Bharat Sevasram Sangha.

Nearby Places and other Beaches

The lighthouse at Sagardwip offers a panoramic view of this spectacular beach, from where you can enjoy the enthralling dawn and dusk. On the time of the sunset, the sky turns golden with a patch of red on the horizon and the silver sand reflects the last rays of the sun, which form a delightful ambience. In this island, photography is not restricted.