Lakhs of pilgrims take holy dip on Makar Sankranti; heavy rush at Gangasagar Mela

SAGAR ISLAND (WB): (Jan 14) Lakhs of pilgrims took a holy dip on Wednesday morning at the confluence of the Hooghly river and the Bay of Bengal in West Bengal's Sagar Island on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

The pilgrims braved the winter chill to take a dip at sunrise and offered prayers at the Kapil Muni Ashram on the island in the South 24 Parganas district, where the revered Gangasagar Mela is underway.

The auspicious timing for the 'shahi snan' is scheduled to begin at 1.19 pm and will continue for 24 hours.