Gangasagar sees the second largest gathering of mankind, after triennial Kumbh Mela. It is held that a dip in the holy Ganges will purge the pilgrims of all their sins and earn blessings from the almighty. Pilgrims take the holy dip at Southern tip of the Sagar Island where the Ganges meets Bay of Bengal. This is followed by paying tributes at Kapil Muni Temple situated nearby. And of course attending the vast fair held on the occasion.
Lakhs of people brave the extreme cold weather to take this journey of faith on the eve of Makar Sankranti. This year the Ganga Snan will be held on January 15. The arrangements have already begun to transport the pilgrims to their desired destination. West Bengal will run buses from major depots in Kolkata, there will be ferry services. But the bulk of pilgrims use trains as their mode of transport to the Sagar Island.
Railways have announced 7 special Gangasagar Special trains. Most of them will run between Sealdah and Namkhana stations with stoppages at Ballygunge, Sonarpur, Baruipur, Lakshmikantpur, Nishchindapur and Kakdwip. These EMU Galloping Special trains will be available from January 12-16. Below are details of the trains.
GANGASAGAR SPECIAL TRAINS
DOWN SPECIAL TRAINS
| STOPPAGES | 1ST DOWN SPL | 2ND DOWN SPL | 3RD DOWN SPL |
| TIME TABLE | |||
| SDAH | 06:15 | 14:53 | 22:40 |
| BLN | 06:24 | 15:02 | 22:49 |
| SPR | 06:39 | 15:21 | 23:07 |
| BRP | 06:52 | 15:32 | 23:19 |
| LKPR | 07:49 | 16:39 | 00:05 |
| NCP | 08:09 | 17:04 | 00:29 |
| KWDP | 08:20 | 17:15 | 00:40 |
| NMKA | 08:45 | 17:33 | 01:00 |
UP SPECIAL TRAINS
| STOPPAGES | 1ST UP NAM-SDAH SPL | 2ND UP NAM-SDAH SPL | 1ST UP LKPR-SDAH SPL | 1ST NAM-LKPR SPL |
| TIME TABLE | ||||
| NMKA | 09:10 | 18:35 | 02:05 | |
| KWDP | 09:24 | 18:47 | 02:17 | |
| NCP | 09:36 | 18:59 | 02:30 | |
| LKPR | 10:02 | 19:36 | 23:27 | 02:58 |
| BRP | 10:34 | 10:34 | 00:03 | |
| SPR | 10:45 | 20:47 | 00:15 | |
| BLN | 10:56 | 21:08 | 00:25 | |
| SDAH | 11:12 | 21:25 | 00:40 | |
RESCHEDULING OF TRAINS
- 34981 UP KAKDWIP LKPR LOCAL has been extended from Lakshmikantpur to Sealdah from 14-15 January.
- 34423/30711 UP NAMKHANA/ LAKSHMIKANTPUR – MAJHERHAT Local via Ballygunge has been extended to Sealdah on January15. The train will arrive at Sealdah at 16:15 hrs.
We hope that your holy trip to Gangasagar goes without any problems.
