A portrait of a pilgrim at Gangāsāgar Mela transit camp, Maidan, Kolkata. Gangāsāgar Mela (congregation of pilgrims) is held during 'Makar Sankrānti' (in January) in Sagar Island at the confluence of the river Gangā (actually its distributary Bhagirathi-Hugli) and the Bay of Bengal and is attended by millions of pilgrims.