Maha Kumbh 2013: 5 lakh take holy dip at Gangasagar

SAGAR ISLANDS ( WEST BENGAL): Around 5 lakh pilgrims today took a holy dip at Gangasagar, the confluence of Ganga with Bay of Bengal, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Arun Mishra along with relatives and West Bengal Industries Minister Partho Chatterjee and his family also took a holy dip as the auspicious hour approached after offering puja at the Kapil Muni Temple.

Official sources said today's turnout of over 5 lakh was the highest in the past two days.

Though over 250 people were reported to be missing in the past three days, many of them were reunited, the sources said, adding this is an usual occurence at Gangasagar due to the heavy congregation every year.

Around 50 persons were arrested for alleged involvement in petty cases.

Movement of devotees from Kakdwip to Gangasagar had stopped for about three hours last night after a barge hit a jetty at Lot No. 8 ferry ghat damaging it. The damaged jetty had since been restored.