Situated at Sagar Island in West Bengal, the Kapil Muni Temple is an ancient temple made in the memory of the great Kapil Muni, son of Kardam Muni. It is believed that the deity was installed by Swami Ramanand in 1437. The temple is regarded as one of the most important pilgrimage sites in West Bengal. Gangasagar is extensively visited during Makar Sankranti.

Location West Bengal, South 24 Pargan, Kolkata

Legend

Ganga Sagar is a legendary place that has its connection with the Ikshvaku dynasty from which Lord Ram belonged. It is believed that long time back King Sagar unleashed his Ashwamedha Horse from Ayodhya. Anyone who would stop the horse will have to fight the king who has unleashed the horse. It is said the Indra, the King of Gods captured the horse and tied it with a tree by the ashram of Kapil Muni.

Later on, the King's 60,000 sons reached the ashram to combat Kapil Muni as he has captured the Ashwamedha Horse. But as per rules, a rishi cannot fight like a warrior so the 60,000 princes started creating nuisances in the ashram. A disgusted Kapil Muni cursed the sons to burn into ashes and damned them to hell. Sometime after that Bhagirath, a grandson of King Sagar arrived in the ashram and found the pile of ash over there. He came across with what have happened to his uncles and requested Kapil Muni to forgive them and give back their lives.

On this demand Kapil Muni asked Maata Parvathi or Ganga to come on Earth and help the princes with salvation. Soon after that, Lord Shiva released Ganga from his jata and Ganga came on Earth to spread Her divinity here.

Culture

Calcutta or today's Kolkata, known as the cultural capital of India has contributed immensely in enriching the cultural aspects of not only the whole Bengal but represented India to the world in though literature, theater, music, art, craft and other performing arts.

Bengalis boast on their first Indian Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Laureate Mother Teresa, the great filmmaker and Oscar winner for his lifetime achievement Satyajit Ray, world-famous filmmakers Mrinal Sen, Rittik Ghatak, the first Bengal Generation of the Beat Poets- The trio- Sakti Chatterjee, Sunil Ganguly and Subhas Mukherjee who reflected the efflorescence of the revolutionary poesy in their poetry that Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and many other poets introduced in the West.

Even today, Kolkata stands among the top listing stops that stage the finest theaters, musical performances and recitations.

Bengal is also famous for its handloom. Over the centuries, the Tant saree from Fulia, Sahantipur or that of the Silk from Murshidabad, Bishnupur, and Bankura have created a deep impact on not only the Bengali women but also among saree connoisseurs throughout the country and abroad.

Calcutta houses some of the finest and world-class art galleries such as the Academy of Fine arts, CIMA Art Gallery, Gaganendra Art Gallery and so on. This is the home of world- famous artists.

Bengali cuisine has also entered the world panorama for its finest sweet delicacies and fish preparations that are exclusively crafted with traditional Bengali fervor with its best. People coming to Bengal cannot afford to miss out the exclusive sweet dishes such as rosogolla, chhanar gilipi, Misti Doi (sweet yoghurt), langcha and payesh prepared with date molasses.

Architecture

Throughout the year the temple remains under water. But during the time of the Makar Sankranti it rises.

Darsan Info

The Sagar Dwip or Ganga Sagar is mainly visited during the Makar Sankranti

Darsan Dresscode

Nothing Specific

Temple Rituals

Aarti, worshipping of Rishi Kapil and Maata Ganga.

Special Rituals

The Hindu pilgrims gather at around 3.00 AM on the auspicious day of the Makar Sankranti or also known as the Ganga Sagar Snan to worship at the legendary Temple of Kapil Muni. Soon after the completion of Kapila Puja they initiate to the Yajna or the Maha Puja.

Additional Info

 

Veg meals are offered at Bharat Sevashram Sangha and a few ashrams there. Otherwise, devotees have to satisfy their appetite from the nearby local eateries serving typical Bengali cuisine of Rice, vegetables, fish stew and chutney at a minimum rate.