“Gangasagar Gangajal” launched by India Post at Kolkata GPO

Urvi Teresa Gomes, Kolkata: On 3rd July, 2023, India Post West Bengal Circle Kolkata launched bottled Gangasagar Gangajal to cater to the Hindu and Bengali diaspora around the country. The inauguration included the distribution of the holy Ganga water at Siuli the Parcel Café, and the release of the Special Postal Cover on Gangasagar Gangajal at the Philatelic Club. Dignitaries included Shri Anil Kumar (Post Master General MM & BD), Shri Sanjiv Ranjan (Post Master General, Kolkata region), and Smt. Bipasha Singla (Director of Postal Services, Kolkata).

Gomukh or Gaumukh is the terminus of the Gangotri Glacier and the primary source of the Ganges River. For centuries, Gangajal is significant in the way the river water merges and empties out into the Bay of Bengal, implying an expansion and growth of life itself. Devotees have gathered for a holy bath in the Ganga on the occasion of ‘Guru Purnima’, a significant day in the Indian peninsula since the Vedic ages. Furthermore, the coming of Shravan or Sawana (starting in July) marks the custom of bathing the Dharanatra hanging over the Shiva Lingam with Gangajal and milk.

India Post West Bengal Circle distributes and vends the holy Gangasagar Gangajal through Post Offices in 250 ml bottles of INR 30 each. For the convenience of the public, India Post, through selected Post Offices across the country, has made Gangasagar Gangajal bottles available on the online portals (e-Commerce Portal and e-Postoffice Portal of Department). Currently, 1000 bottles are being produced per day and plans for Gangasagar Gangajal to be available in all Post Offices in India are ongoing. India Post has already been vending Gangajal from Gangotri since 2016 through major Post Offices across India.

The demand for Gangajal is expected to increase immensely due to upcoming festivities, including the Navratri celebration and Durga Puja. Currently, the bottled Gangasagar Gangajal is being sourced through private parties. India Post has undertaken this initiative as part of its efforts to promote, protect and expand Indian heritage and culture.