The Ganga can also be a spot the place individuals come to cleanse themselves of sins. They consider that nothing is extra redemptive than a dip in her sacred waters. Such is the revered place this river holds within the hearts and minds of Hindus the world over.
In response to Hindu perception, the Ganga can cleanse ten sorts of sins. Of those, three are bodily (associated to the physique), 4 are verbal (associated to speech), and three are psychological (associated to thought). The Kashi Khand of the Skanda Purana states that the three bodily sins are stealing, violence, and sexual assault; the three psychological sins are coveting one other’s wealth, wishing hurt upon others, and harboring inappropriate curiosity or obsession. It’s believed that these ten sins may be washed away by bathing within the Ganga.
There are festivals devoted to the Ganga, resembling Ganga Jayanti and Ganga Dussehra. Many Main Competition and Festivals additionally happen place together with Her Banks, Together with Kumbh Mela, Magha Purnima, Mauni Amavasya, Kartik Purnima, Chhath Puja, and Chhathi Maiya Maiya Celebrations.
The Ganga is talked about within the Rig Veda and the Mahabharata, the place she is depicted as King Shantanu’s spouse and the mom of Bhishma.
Ganga Dussehra
Ganga Dussehra, often known as Jeth ka Dussehra or Gangavataran, is well known within the Hindu month of Jyeshtha (Could–June), additionally known as Jeth in some areas of India. Mythology says that on at the present time, the Ganges got here all the way down to earth to liberate King Bhagiratha’s ancestors’ souls from their curse. Gang Jayanti competition, alternatively, celebrates Ganga’s beginning.
Earlier than her descent, Ganga resided in heaven. Her arrival on Earth is believed to have purified the land and made it holy.
Ganga Dussehra is on Dashami (tenth day) of Shukla paksha (Waxing lunar section) in Jyeshtha Month.
Why Do Individuals Have a good time Ganga Dussehra?
Ganga is deified as a goddess and known as Ganga Devi or Ganga Mata. The competition lasts for ten days, culminating in Ganga Dussehra. It’s a main celebration in states like Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Cities like Prayagraj, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Patna, Varanasi, and Garhmukteshwar, all located on the banks of the Ganga, observe the event with nice devotion.
Individuals venerate the Ganga not just for her divine origins but additionally for her important position in agriculture. Many households hold Gangajal (Ganga water) to be used throughout rituals and to sprinkle on auspicious events, owing to its purifying properties.
On Ganga Dussehra, devotees take a dip within the river to cleanse their sins and treatment illnesses. Some bathe within the river on all ten days of the competition, believing it removes the sins of ten lifetimes and grants Moksha. Grand Aartis are carried out on riverbanks and ghats, the place 1000’s of devotees collect to witness the divine spectacle.
Ganga Dussehra in Haridwar, specifically, is a mesmerizing expertise, drawing vacationers from around the globe. Devotees mild diyas (lamps) and float them on the river as choices. In Varanasi, the well-known Dashashwamedh Ghat hosts elaborate rituals and celebrations.
Legends in regards to the Ganga
Ganga’s Start
In response to the Bhagavata Purana, when Lord Vishnu assumed the type of Vamana and measured the Universe, he pressed his massive toe at its edge, making a gap from which the divine Brahma-water gushed forth. This sacred stream grew to become the Ganga. Since she first touched Vishnu’s toes, she can also be known as Vishnupadi or Bhagavatpadi. Ganga initially resided in Brahmaloka, Lord Brahma’s abode.
Bhagiratha’s Penance
King Bhagiratha was a descendant of King Sagara, whose 60,000 sons have been decreased to ashes by Sage Kapila for disturbing his meditation. Their souls wandered as ghosts, unable to achieve Moksha because of the absence of correct final rites.
Each Anshuman (Sagara’s grandson) and Dilip (Anshuman’s son) tried to deliver Ganga to Earth however failed. Bhagiratha, Dilip’s son, carried out intense penance for a few years and at last succeeded.
Nevertheless, Ganga was angered and descended with nice power. Fearing destruction, Lord Shiva caught her in his matted locks. Upon Bhagiratha’s plea, Shiva launched her gently, permitting her to circulation to Earth and purify the souls of Bhagiratha’s ancestors.
Significance of Ganga Dussehra
There are ten auspicious Vedic parts related to Ganga Dussehra: Shukla Paksh, Jyeshtha month, Dashami (tenth lunar day), Siddha Yoga, Thursday, Gar-Anand Yiga, Hasta Nakshatra, Solar in Taurus, and Moon in Virgo. Devotees can attain salvation by worshipping Ganga on at the present time. The day can also be superb for purchasing property, automobiles, and valuables. One might get absolution for one’s sins if one stands within the Ganga and recites the Ganga Stotra. The phrase “Dussehra” comes from “Dasha” (ten) and “Hara” (to destroy). Thus, bathing within the Ganga over these ten days is believed to destroy ten sorts of sins—and even the sins of ten lifetimes.
Ganga Dussehra 2025 Date
Ganga Dussehra 2025 falls on Thursday, June 5.