Road:- To
visit Gangasagar, the best way is to take Diamond Harbour Road from
Kolkata. You will have to drive around 90 km (from Esplanade bus
Terminus of Kolkata) and reach Harwood ferry point near Kakdwip. The
Panchyat Samity maintains a parking area near ferry point and charges
Rs.80 (During Mela Time the charge will be high*) for cars for a day.
Park your car there and walk a few minutes to reach the ferry point
(called Lot no-8). The ferry service charge per adult is Rs 8.00 (During
Mela Time the charge will be high*) for Sagar Island and children up to
5 years are exempt. During day time ferry service frequency is 45
minutes apart. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach Kachuberia,the
landing point on Sagar Island which is about 3.9 km through the Ganges
river (also known as Hooghly River or Muriganga river locally). If the
tides are low one can go by small boats which generally charge Rs 100 or
200 (During Mela Time the charge will be high) per head and take around
40 minutes. From there one can take any shared jeep or bus which
generally charges Rs 30 per person (32 km) and takes around 45 minutes
to reach Gangasagar, the confluence of river Ganges with Bay of Bengal.
If there is a group of 5-6 people it is advisable to take a private
jeep/car which will charge around Rs. 1,300 to 1,900 for both sides
during off season (i.e. except Makar Sankranti times in Mid January
every year). The car and buses are parked near the pilgrim site. From
the parking area the Kapil Muni Temple is about 200 meters and the
Gangasagar confluence is about 700 meters. Platform ricksaws from the
bus stand / car parking area are available for Rs.20 per person or
Rs.200 for up to eight persons and shall take you to the Gangasagar
confluence first and then to Kapil Muni Temple after you have finished
your holy dip and worship at the confluence and then back to parking
area. All these take about 2 hours. November to February is the best
season to visit Gangasagar. As a rough guide line, You should start by
7.00 AM from Kolkata and reach Harwood point by 10 AM. You will then be
able to reach Kachuberia by 11 AM and Gangasagar by 12 AM. If you start
back by 2.30 PM you would reach back Harwood point by 4 PM and Kolkata
by 7 PM. This time table is valid for travel by car both from Kolkata to
Harwood point and back and also from Kachuberia to Gangasagar and back.
Mind it you can avail last ferry service from Kachuberia on Sagar
Island at 8 PM. at Gangasagar mela area available of various of
accommodation.
Bus:- Sagar
Island can be approached from either Harwood point or Namkhana. Both
the points are linked by Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC) or
West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation buses. Distance of Harwood
Point is around 80 km from Kolkata and Namkhana is 13 Kilometers more.
Bus fare from Kolkata (Esplanade) to Namkhana is around Rs.40 -50 (aprr,
Rs. 60 during Mela). During the Mela busses will end at the ferry
crossing in Harwood point (or also called 'Lot 8'), and they will start
in Kolkata also from Babughat, Howrah RS and Taratola in South Kolkata.
From Kakdwip, Harwood Point is only 5 km. and Namkhana is 12 km. by bus
or jeep. During the Mela cycle-rickshaws operate between RS and ferry
jetty, price was fixed at 15 Rs per person on a 4 pax rickshaw. Trains
tend to be overcrowded and are definitely a challenge during Mela time.
Ferry:- To
reach Sagar Island one must cross the Muriganga river/creek by ferry
service. Ferry service is available in both Harwood point and Namkhana
and controlled by West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation. Frequency
of crossings are more in Harwood point and it is once in every half an
hour. The fare for a single crossing for a person is Rs. 8-10. The fare
increases at the time of Ganagasagar Mela Fair.
Rail:- Kolkata
is well connected with rest of the India by Howrah and Sealdah station.
Howrah Station is the largest and second busiest station in India while
Sealdah station is the busiest station in India.
You can go by local train from Sealdah South terminus of Kolkata to Kakdwip station to visit Sagar island. In the morning hours three trains are available for Kakdwip (Namkhana Locals), at 4.00am, 5.09am and 7.15am. These trains take about 2 hours 25 minutes to reach Kakdwip station. Kakdwip is 95 km far from Sealdah by train.
Therefore if you board the 7.15 am Namkhana local, you would reach kakdwip by 10am and ferry ghat by 10.30am. You are most likely to reach Kachuberiya on Sagar island by 11.30 am and at Gangasagar confluence by 12.30 pm. If you start back by 3.00pm, you would reach Lot no-8 ferry ghat by 5.00pm and at kakdwip station by 5.30 pm. Up Namkhana-Sealdah Local is available at 5.47 pm at Namkhana station and you will be back at sealdah station by 8.30pm as of January 2017.
(Sealdah to Kakdwip and Kakdwip to Sealdah trains)
Air:- The
nearest airport to Gangasagar is the Kolkata International Airport
which is situated at a distance of around 129 km. It is well linked with
several cities. One can get regular flights from here. There are weekly
helicopter service from Behala flying club in Kolkata to Sagar Island
which fly every Sunday. The service is facilitated by government of West
Bengal.
