How to reach Gangasagar mela , West Bengal

by air / road / train / local / ferry service / boat / Government bus / water transport

Sagar Island can be reached 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 about 80 Km. from Kolkata and Namkhana is 13 Kilometers. Bus fare from Kolkata (Esplanade) to Namkhana is around INR 40 -50. During the Mela buses will end at the ferry crossing at Harwood point / Lot 8, and they will start in Kolkata also from Babughat, Howrah RS and Taratola in South Kolkata.Namkhana and Harwood Point can be reached by train from Sealdah Station. There are direct trains to Kakdwip from Sealdah Station with link trains to Namkhana. Train fare up to Kakdwip is Rs. 18 only. 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 remain overcrowded with pilgrims during Mela time.

To reach Sagar Island one ought to cross the Muriganga river /creek by ferry service. Ferry service is obtainable in both Harwood point and Namkhana and under control of West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation.

After reaching Sagar Island travarse the whole stretch of Sagar Island 32 Kilometers by local bus / shared taxi. Fare should be around Rs.10 , jeeps charge around INR 800 to 900 for one way. There is no accommodation available on the point of crossing (Kachuberia), so everybody has to travel the whole stretch of the Island and reach the southernmost part, where accommodations are abundant.

Except from Namkhana and Harwood Point, there is as well a direct ferry service to Kachuberia , Sagar Island from Haldia.

It is possible to go the entire length by private / rental car from Kolkata. At Harwood Point there is arrangement to transport vehicle with the aid of a barge locally known as LCT. There are no schedule time for the crossing, for the reason it depends on the water level or on the tides. The charges for a light / medium vehicle is 250 to 300 INR. The fare increases at the time of Ganagasagar Mela (The Fair).

 Read More:   Gangasagar Mela