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The festival of Ganga Dussehra is important because it remembers the arrival of the holy river Ganga to the land.
The festival of Ganga Dussehra is important because it remembers the arrival of the holy river Ganga to the land. Those who celebrate know it as Gangavataran, since in Hinduism it marks the beginning of purification, freedom and commitment to the gods.
This festival is going to be a colorful one with lots of rituals. In this blog, we are going to explore dates, mythological stories, rituals and the best places to experience this auspicious occasion.
Ganga Dussehra Puja 2025: Date and Time
Ganga Dusshera takes place on the 10th day of Jyeshta’s bright lunar fortnight in the Hindu calendar. This celebration is set for 5th June of 2025. The key timings are:
Dashami Tithi Starts: 4th June 2025 at 11:54 Pm
Dashami Tithi Ends: 6th June 2025 at 2:15 Am
Scheduling rituals during Brahma Muhurat for the highest spiritual gains.
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Ganga Dussehra Festival Mythological Story
According to Hindu mythology, Ganga Dusshera commemorates how King Bhagirath tried to get the holy River Ganga to arrive on earth. Skanda Purana and Mahabharata describe that king Sagar, the ancestor of Bhagirath, wanted to show his power by performing Ashwamedha yagya.
Indra stole the horse and hid it in the sage Kapil Ashram. Sagar's 60,000 sons, searching for horses, accused the sage of theft, angered him. Kapil Muni burnt them to ashes using his godly power. Anshuman, who was a grandson of Sagar, found out that their souls could only be cleaned by the sacred water ganga and could grant them salvation.
Anshuman and his son Dilip tried but were unable to bring Ganga to earth. Bhagirath was the one who emerged victorious after practicing severe penance. He beseeched Lord Brahma, who consented to liberate Ganga from his water pot. Furthermore, Ganga's violent fall would annihilate earth, and hence Bhagirath approached Lord Shiva for assistance.
Shiva wrapped Ganga in his matted locks and gradually allowed her to come down to the earth on Dashami Tithi of Jyestha Shukla Paksha. It was seen as Ganga Dussehra puja, the act of Ganga's purpose of purifying Bhagirath's ancestors and endowing human beings.
Rituals of Ganga Dussehra 2025
The festival is honored with ceremonies for goddess Ganga, who was believed to refresh body, mind and spirit. The main ceremony included in the Ganga Dussehra celebrations is described as follows:
1. Shani Snan: People bathe in the River Ganga during Brahma Muhurat to get rid of their sins. It is thought that a dip on this day frees 10 lifetimes of sin.
2. Ganga Aarti: Perform evening Ganga Aarti at riverbanks, with flowers, light lamps, and devotion.
3. Deep Daan: Put diyas on leaf boats with betel leaves, sweets, and flowers in Ganga as presents to the goddess and make wishes for fulfillment.
4. Charity and Offerings: Give 10 offerings to Ganga, such as flowers, milk, fruits or saree. Give food, clothes, ghee, salt, oil, sugar to brahmins or the poor for spiritual gains.
5. Puja and Meditation: Pray to Ganga with Vedic mantras such as "Gange Cha Yamuna Chaiva Godavari Saraswati".
6. Fasting: Keeping fast will purify you spiritually. Break a fast with light, sattvic food after rituals.
Know More: Surdas Jayanti 2025
What Are the Best Places to Join the Ganga Dussehra Festival
1. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Dashahwamedh Ghat plays host to the Ganga Dusshera, where the Ganga Maha Aarti is performed. People take holy dips and float thousands of diyas, creating a divine moment.
2. Haridwar, Uttarakhand: Haridwar’s Har ki Pauri attracts many people for holy dips and aarti. This festival attracts global tourists.
3. Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: : Triveni Sangam is a sacred bathing site and ritual ground.
4. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: Famous for tranquil ghats such as Triveni Ghat, the location has a peaceful environment for dips, meditation and aarti.
Importance of Ganga Dussehra
This festival is a spiritual journey. It is believed that Maa Ganga carries the purity of heaven to Earth. She is also known as Bhagirathi, Vishnupadi, Shubhra, and Jahavi, and she is worshipped for her ability to:
1. Purify Sins: A bath in the Ganga River is said to liberate 10 kinds of sins and bring salvation.
2. Heal Ailments: Ganga water is believed to cure physical and spiritual diseases.
3. Honor Ancestors: Rituals such as Pitra Tarpan assist in freeing ancestors' souls.
4. Boost devotion: The festival strengthens the connection with nature and divinity.
Tips for Ganga Aarti 2025 Celebration
1. Plan: Arrives at pilgrimage sites a day early to avoid crowds and secure spots for rituals.
2. Eco-Conscious Puja: Offer Biodegradable items for worship to maintain the purity of the Ganga.
3. Respect Local Customs: Follow ghat norms and wear ethnic during rituals.
4. Stay safe: Be careful bathing in the river, especially during peak hours.
5. Virtual Darshan: If a visit is not feasible, conduct home puja with Gangajal and watch live Ganga Aarti from Haridwar or Varanasi.
Know More: Akshaya Tritiya 2025
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