February 4, 2025
Mamata Thakur’s Zero Hour mention on the demand for Gangasagar Mela to be designated a ‘national fair’
“Sir, the Gangasagar Mela is one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world, second in size only to the Kumbh Mela, yet it holds significant importance of its own. This annual fair takes place on Makar Sankranti, whereas the Kumbh Mela occurs every four years at designated locations, with one specific site hosting it every twelve years. The long history of the Gangasagar Mela is acknowledged in various historical accounts. This event is linked to the ancient trade routes of East India in the Indian Ocean, associated with Greco-Roman commerce. For Hindu devotees, the Gangasagar Mela is a vital festival of faith, imbued with deep astrological and mythological significance. Ancient Indian texts, including the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Kalidasa’s Raghuvamsa, make references to the fair, along with figures such as Kapil Muni and the island of Sagar Dwip. Every year, hundreds of thousands of devotees from across India and around the world gather to take a holy dip during this significant event. This year, more than one crore devotees visited the Ganga Sagar Mela, and this number is expected to continue rising. The State Government of West Bengal has implemented numerous initiatives to ensure comfortable travel, accommodation, and safety for all pilgrims. Remarkably, the entire cost is covered by the State Government, with no financial contribution from the Government of India. Given the uniqueness, significance, magnitude, and spiritual depth of the Ganga Sagar Mela, I urge the Central Government to grant it the status of a National Mela. If a similar incident to the Kundcenter issue had occurred at Ganga Sagar, multiple teams from the center would have already arrived in Bengal.”
