Kolkata, 14 January (H.S.): The sacred shores of Gangasagar witnessed an overwhelming surge of devotees as over four million pilgrims took a holy dip ahead of Makar Sankranti. However, amidst the religious fervor, a tragic incident unfolded as three pilgrims lost their lives due to cardiac arrest.According to the administration, one person died on Sunday, while two others succumbed on Monday. Most of the deceased were elderly devotees who had traveled long distances to participate in the holy ritual. Despite extensive medical and security arrangements, the massive crowd and the physical strain of the journey took a toll on some pilgrims.This year’s Gangasagar Mela has drawn a record-breaking number of visitors. Officials reported that between January 1 and 12, more than 4 million devotees had already arrived.To manage the influx of pilgrims, over 13,000 police personnel have been deployed across the festival grounds. Additionally, surveillance has been heightened with hundreds of CCTV cameras monitoring key areas to ensure crowd control and swift emergency response.The West Bengal government has introduced several new facilities to improve the experience for devotees. Special buses and transport services have been arranged by the state transport department to facilitate smooth travel.Moreover, fire safety measures have been enhanced along the shores. An 86-year-old chemist, Swapan Kumar Sen, and his team have been actively working to make temporary tents fire-resistant by spraying them with chemical treatments, minimizing the risk of fire hazards.Security agencies have raised concerns over potential infiltration attempts by Bangladeshi nationals during the mela. Intelligence reports indicate that some individuals may exploit the heavy crowd in South 24 Parganas’ Sagar Island to enter India illegally.In response, police in the Sundarbans region have intensified monitoring at key coastal entry points such as Lot No. 8 in Kakdwip and Chemaguri in Namkhana. The Indian Coast Guard has also been roped in to strengthen maritime security.Gangasagar holds immense religious significance, often compared to the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. According to Hindu mythology, this is the site where King Sagar’s 60,000 sons attained salvation through the touch of the Ganges.The auspicious bathing period for Makar Sankranti this year begins on January 14 at 6:58 AM and will last until January 15 at the same time. Given the rare occurrence of a Purna Kumbh in Prayagraj after 144 years, the spiritual intensity at Gangasagar has also reached new heights, drawing even larger crowds.

Hindusthan Samachar / SP Singh