Sagar Island
Discover Sagar Island
Sagar Island, or simply Sagar (Bengali: সাগর Sāgar), is an island in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India. Sagar Island is a religious spot for Hindu pilgrims. A lovely destination combining pilgrimage and fun, on an island by the Bay of Bengal, and holds the charms of a completely unspoiled beach on the estuary of the mighty Ganges. Sagar (SHAH-gohr) is a charming tourist destination, which attracts both pilgrims and fun-loving people. Sagar possesses the charms of an unspoiled beach on the estuary of the river Ganges. Sagar offers acres of silver sand and clear blue sky and a calm sea for visitors who would like to spend their weekend in a quiet mood. Sagar is still now unexplored and therefore unexploited.
Taste of Sagar Island...
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Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsSagar is about 80 km (50 mi) south of Kolkata, cut off from the mainland by the Muriganga River. There is no road bridge to connect the island to the mainland and you have to cross the river to reach Kachuberia in Sagar by ferry. If you want to spend your weekend in a peaceful way, then avoid the island in the middle of January during Makar Sankranti, when there is a huge rush due to Gangasagar. Before Makar Sankranti, there is a huge rush to board the ferry to Kachuberia. From Kachuberia, a bus or trekker will take you to Gangasagar (30 km) within one hour. Minibuses and hired cars are accessible for the journey. Ferry services to Sagar are available from either Harwood Point in Kakdwip or Namkhana. Both points are linked by West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) buses. The distance of Harwood Point is around 80 km (50 mi) from Kolkata and Namkhana is 13 km (8.1 mi) more. Boats from Harwood Point and Kachuberia are accessible every hour. The fare is ₹8 per head from Lot No....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Vehicles are allowed to a short distance from Kapil Muni Temple. Plenty of cycle vans are available to take you to the Gangasagar bathing spot (about 2 km). Charges are ₹15 per passenger one way. These are quite comfortable for those who cannot walk 2 km. Sagar Island presents a quiet, silvery expanse of beach and the calm sea provides the perfect setting for a quiet weekend. There are no hotels as such at Gangasagar. The accommodations available are all Ashram/Dharamshala type, where no food is available, nor outside food allowed to be brought in. Even for a cup of tea, one must leave the premises. Of course there are plenty of places to purchase food. However, for regular members of various Charitable Trusts/Ashrams or travellers coming with advanced bookings from the head offices of these Organisations, food may be provided by the organizations. There is reportedly no food available at the Youth Hostel, either.
Where to Stay
For accommodations, there are many places to choose from in South Sagar. In the time of Sagar Mela or the Fair, the number of accommodation increases drastically with temporary camps/hutments from many commercial and non-commercial organizations. It is advisable to book your accommodation prior to go to Sagar Island in the time of Sagar Mela. If you bring your own mattress and sleeping bag you will most likely find shelter. There are tourist lodges at Sagar Island and a Youth Hostel. Also dormitory accommodation in a dharamshala run by Bharat Sevasram Sangha. Dharmashala of Mission and Guest Houses of West Bengal State Government are there in Sagar Island for spending the weekend in the excellent Beach of Bengal. Some of the places for spending days and nights in Sagar Island as follows which provide shelter for tourists and pilgrims round the year: Carry mosquito and snake repellents. Snakebite mortality is considerably high in Sagar Island.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Carry mosquito and snake repellents. Snakebite mortality is considerably high in Sagar Island. Sagar Gramin Hospital is the only place on Sagar Island to treat snake bites. Carry electric torches and other means of emergency lights, because Sagar Island does not get power from the main electric supply grid. The Island only gets a few hours of power supply in the evening, from a central diesel-operated power generating station, situated at Rudranagar. The power supply is available from 6PM to 9PM only. There is a complete blackout for the rest of the day/night. But you will never feel uncomfortable because the sweet wind blows from sea to land, round the clock. But in the time of Sagar Mela (The fair), Sagar gets a sufficient supply of electricity for the whole day It is advisable to avoid travelling at night with insufficient light.