Over three lakh pilgrims at Sagar for Makar Sankaranti

Over three lakh devotees have gathered to take a holy dip in the Ganga on the eve of Makar Sankranti at this West Bengal island considered auspicious by Hindus, a minister said Monday.

"Over three lakh pilgrims have already arrived. Thousands more are coming. The arrivals will continue through the night," Sundarbans Development Minister Manturam Pakhira told IANS over phone.

"Pilgrims have come from all over the country from 22-23 states. A substantial number of foreigners are also here," he said.

"There are no untoward incidents so far," South 24 Parganas's Superintendent of Police Pravin Tripathi told IANS over phone.

Over 6,000 police personnel, including 600 policewomen, have been deployed to ensure peace.

Border Security Force personnel have been deployed while hovercrafts of the Indian navy have been kept ready for any emergency.

The state government has also introduced helicopter services for pilgrims this year.

Braving chilly weather, the devotees will take the dip at the confluence of the river with the Bay of Bengal, known as Gangasagar, from the early hours Tuesday. The timing of the Shahi snan (royal bath) begins from 3.15 a.m.

Sagar Island, about 150 km from Kolkata in South 24 Parganas, sees a massive gathering of people every Makar Sankranti, celebrated each year on Jan 14. Offerings of coconuts are made at the Kapil Muni temple here.

The devout believe that a single dip in the sacred water at this time washes off sins of a lifetime.