Ganga Sagar Mela
Gangasagar Mela is possibly the state’s largest fair. As the
name suggests, Gangasagar Mela is held in South 24 Par-
gana district’s, Gangasagar or the shores of the voluminous
Bay of Bengal. The festival commences on Makar Sankranti
when hordes of ascetics, pilgrims and devotees flock to the
picturesque Sagar Dwip islands. The annual fair is hosted
during the winter months of January and February. Chilly
sea breeze and wisps of salt water sting people’s faces as
they arrive here to take a dip in the holy waters and be
absolved of their sins. The three day long affair is a gala
occasion in the state. Pilgrims from all nooks and crannies
of the country arrive to take a bath in the confluence of sea
and river to seek salvation and the lord’s blessings. There
is a common belief among the locals that the girls who
take the holy dip and pray at the ashram of Kapil Muni get
handsome grooms and the boys get beautiful brides.
Poila Boishakh
The first month of the Bengali calendar, Baishakh, marks
the starting of the crop cycle in Bengal. A lot of Bengali
weddings are held in this month, and new businesses
started. The first day of this month is called Poila Baisakh
is celebrated as the Bengali new year. The Bengali New
Year or “Poila Baisakh” (the first day of the month of
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