In our school days we used to recite a famous poem of Rabindranath- 'DebatarGrass'..The poem describes the difficult path of reaching Gangasagar..it also points out to the traditional sentiments of people over Gangasagar.. & the tragic narrations of how a mother lost her beloved son in the sea water..The sagar remained mysterious to me for a long period. However, later I found many of our neighbours visited and expressed their unbound satisfaction in dipping in the holy water. All of them went during Makarsankranti- and they enjoyed sahi-bath and worshiped Kapildev..
Gangasagar means Makar sankranti when lakhs and lakhs assemble here for a holy dip. This is a tradition from unnown days. In purans it was said 'Ganga is always holy.. but holier in Haridwarm Prayag and Gangasagar, however Gangasagar is un- parallel and greatest among the three'. There has been a proverb ' You have to cover all pilgrims many times but once all in case of Gangasagar. you can earn Almighty's blessing once you dip in holy water of Gangasagar'. That thoughts still prevails and Gangasagar becomes a sea of people during the Makarsankranti. uncountable people of irrespective genders come to the beach at the dawn-Brahmamuhurta ignoring cold & wave-they worship the ist sun standing into coldwater..they make tarpan for their ancesters..they seek blessings etc.
This time I visited the sagar on the eve of Makarsankranti. I sensed what could be on that day. Already people from different states have taken position. Sadhus of different sects have set up their Akhra.. Gangasagar is now a cosmopolitan city.. banners,signboards & communications are made in hindi or other than Bengali..Hectic preparations going on..there are more number of boats/staemers plying inbetween sagar and the main land.. the streets are repaired..flooded with light.. a joyous feeling every where..Tons and tons Hogla leaves are reaching there.. there would be thousands and thousands temporary cottages.. all are free...hundreds and hundred stalls are ready for selling goods.. you can have your choice food in the complex of Kapilmuni Ashram.. Morenumber of priests from Ajodhya are there now.. Arati is done in a serene manner..the conchsound vibrates the whole area..
Although I went Sagar for other purposes but I was in quest of knowing some history of the Gangasagar. History is scanty but mythology is abundant. Let me share some amazing mythology of Gangasagar.
The creator of the world is the grand Brahma- Marich is his son and father of Kasyap. Manu was his illustrious son. Ikkhaku was Manu's son and his generations ruled the country and it was Ikkhaku dynasty.The thirteenth decendants of the dynasty was Bharat from which the country named as Bharatbarsa. The capital was at Ajodhya. After the death of Bharat his son Asit ascended to the throne. Asit was of timid type. He was thrown away by rivals. Asit fled and took shelter in HimachalPradesh along with his two wives. Sooner Asit died. That time the two queens were pregnant and rival to each other. One of them poisoned other so that the later's son can not claim kingdom in future. However, with the blessings of Chabhyan Muni nothing happened. A beautiful son was borne. He was named as Sagar ( gar-means poison).Sagar had also twin wives- Baidarvi & Saiba. Sagar accompanied by his wives made deep meditation and the Lord Shiva asked them their wishes. Baidarvi wanted 60 thousand sons while Saiba wanted one. Saiba got her son named Asamagna. Asamnga was self styled and dictator. Sagar drove him away from the kingdom. On the other the 60 thousand sons of Baidarvi became powerful. Sagar wanted to make Asmamedh jyanga..a horse is let free..it will move move independently without obstacle.. once it returns the Jyanga would start and the horse will be sacrificed in the name Almighty. Sagar will be the real crown of the universe. No power can bow him down.
The matter of sacrifice reached to Devraj Indra. Indra was afraid of losing his kingdom. Indra made he tricks ,he stole away the horse and kept in the Ashram of Kapilmuni at Sagar.
The 60 thousand brothers searched everywhere but could not find the sacrificial horse. At last they reached in the Kapilmuni Ashram. They found the horse tied near to his meditation field. All of them shouted and threw ill words to kapilmuni.. Their noise irritated the Muni and as soon as they levelled him as theif, he was aggrieved and anger came his eyes and made all of them to ashes.
In the mean while ,Bharat engaged Ansuman-the son of Asamnga to find out his cousin brothers and the horse.Ansuman found it in the Kapilmuni Ashram. He was well tempered and sat beside Muni while he was in meditation. The Muni found a devotee after the break of meditation. He was pleased with the fellow. Ansuman gradually knew everthing about his brothers. Muni told him to take away the horse and make Asamedeth Ju\yanga. Finally , he told him to bring Ganges here and wash the ashes to turn back his brothers.
Janga was completed. Sagar tried to bring Ganga but failed. Ansuman failed his son Dilip also failed to bring back Gangas.. time elapsed ..it was the turn of Bhagirath who made deep meditation.. who pleased Mahadev..Narayan & Brahma.. Later by his efforts the Ganges reached Sagar. With the touch of holy Ganges the 60 thousand brothers were let alive..
The meeting place of Ganges and the Sea became a pious place.
The name of Sagar as a pilgrim place is mentioned in Ramayan.
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