Ganga Dussehra 2025 – A Divine Celebration of Maa Ganga's Descent to Earth

_Shokesh _
1 day ago
3 min read

Overview

Ganga Dussehra, also known as Gangavataran, is a highly auspicious Hindu festival dedicated to Maa Ganga, the celestial river believed to have descended from heaven to purify the Earth. Devotees celebrate this day with great reverence, as it symbolizes cleansing of sins, spiritual awakening, and gratitude to the life-giving river.

The Legend of Ganga Dussehra

The story originates from ancient Puranic texts, primarily the Padma Purana and the Brahma Purana.

King Bhagiratha, a descendant of King Sagara, undertook intense penance to bring the river Ganga from the heavens to Earth to liberate the souls of his ancestors, who had been cursed by Sage Kapila.

Moved by his devotion, Lord Brahma allowed Ganga to descend, but her celestial force was so intense that it would have destroyed the Earth. So, Lord Shiva contained her flow in his matted locks and gently released her streams to Earth, thus blessing the world with life, purity, and divine energy.

This divine event of Gangavataran occurred on Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami, and is celebrated as Ganga Dussehra.

Why Celebrate Ganga Dussehra?

Ten sins (Dasha Paap) are said to be destroyed when one:
- Takes a dip in the Ganga
- Offers prayers and charity
- Recites her name with devotion

The word “Dussehra” signifies ‘dasha’ (ten) and ‘hara’ (destroyer)—a day when ten kinds of sins are washed away.

Who Should Observe Ganga Dussehra?

Anyone seeking:
- Spiritual purification
- Freedom from ancestral karmas
- Health and longevity
- Mental peace and divine grace
Pitra dosh affected individuals
Pilgrims and devotees in Ganga basin regions

Where to Celebrate?

Most auspicious locations for Ganga Dussehra celebrations:

Haridwar (Uttarakhand)
Rishikesh
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam)
Gangotri (origin of Ganga)
Patna (Ganga Ghat)
Kolkata (Ganga Sagar)

If travel is not possible, one can celebrate at home using Ganga Jal, or visit any local river or water body

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Rituals and How to Perform

1. Early Morning Snan (Holy Bath):

Take a dip in the Ganga or sprinkle Ganga Jal at home
Chant “Har Har Gange” or “Gange Cha Yamune Chaiva Godavari Saraswati...”

2. Ganga Puja Vidhi:

Place an image or idol of Maa Ganga on a clean cloth
Offer:
- White flowers, incense, diya, roli, rice
- Fruits, sweets, and panchaamrit
- Ganga Jal in a kalash
Light a ghee lamp and perform aarti

3. Daan (Charity):

Donate:
- Water pitchers, fans, clothes, food
- Fruits like watermelon, mangoes, cucumbers
- Umbrella and footwear to the poor
Offer 10 types of daan to mark ten-fold purification

4. Ganga Stotra or Ganga Chalisa Recitation:

Shloka:

ॐ नमो भगवत्यै गंगे त्रैलोक्य तारिण्यै नारायणी नमः।

Ganga Ashtakam and Ganga Aarti are also recited.

Spiritual Significance

Washing off sins and past karma
Getting blessings for peaceful afterlife of ancestors
Aiding in spiritual elevation and dharmic living
Balancing Pitra Dosha and gaining moksha

Important Beliefs

It is believed that 10 kinds of sins (physical, mental, and verbal) are washed away on this day.
A dip in Ganga on this day is equivalent to thousands of Ashwamedha Yagnas.
Those who die on Ganga Dussehra day while remembering Maa Ganga attain Vaikuntha or Moksha.