The Chandogya Upanishad says that the Ganga is the holiest, most divine, and most auspicious river in India. To devout Hindus, the Ganga is ‘Mai’ or ‘Mata,’ meaning ‘Mother.’ She is regarded as the goddess of purity and forgiveness. Hindus immerse the ashes of the dead in her waters, believing it grants Moksha, or liberation from samsara (the cycle of birth and death).
The Ganga is also a place where people come to cleanse themselves of sins. They believe that nothing is more redemptive than a dip in her sacred waters. Such is the revered position this river holds in the hearts and minds of Hindus across the world.
According to Hindu belief, the Ganga can cleanse ten types of sins. Of these, three are physical (related to the body), four are verbal (related to speech), and three are mental (related to thought). The Kashi Khand of the Skanda Purana states that the three physical sins are stealing, violence, and sexual assault; the three mental sins are coveting another’s wealth, wishing harm upon others, and harboring inappropriate curiosity or obsession. It is believed that these ten sins can be washed away by bathing in the Ganga.
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There are festivals dedicated to the Ganga, such as Ganga Jayanti and Ganga Dussehra. Many major festivals and fairs also take place along her banks, including Kumbh Mela, Magha Purnima, Mauni Amavasya, Kartik Purnima, Chhath Puja, and Chhathi Maiya celebrations.
The Ganga is mentioned in the Rig Veda and the Mahabharata, where she is depicted as King Shantanu’s wife and the mother of Bhishma.
Ganga Dussehra
Ganga Dussehra, also known as Jeth ka Dussehra or Gangavataran, is celebrated in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha (May–June), also called Jeth in some regions of India. Mythology says that on this day, the Ganges came down to earth to liberate King Bhagiratha’s ancestors’ souls from their curse. Gang Jayanti festival, on the other hand, celebrates Ganga’s birth.
Before 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 (10th day) of
Shukla Paksha (waxing lunar phase) in Jyeshtha month.
Why Do People Celebrate Ganga Dussehra?
Ganga is deified as a goddess and called Ganga Devi or Ganga Mata. The festival lasts for ten days, culminating in Ganga Dussehra. It is a major celebration in states like Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Cities like Prayagraj, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Patna, Varanasi, and Garhmukteshwar, all situated on the banks of the Ganga, observe the occasion with great devotion.
People venerate the Ganga not only for her divine origins but also for her vital role in agriculture. Many households keep Gangajal (Ganga water) for use during rituals and to sprinkle on auspicious occasions, owing to its purifying properties.
On Ganga Dussehra, devotees take a dip in the river to cleanse their sins and cure ailments. Some bathe in the river on all ten days of the festival, believing it removes the sins of ten lifetimes and grants Moksha. Grand Aartis are performed on riverbanks and ghats, where thousands of devotees gather to witness the divine spectacle.
Ganga Dussehra in Haridwar, in particular, is a mesmerizing experience, drawing tourists from around the world. Devotees light diyas (lamps) and float them on the river as offerings. In Varanasi, the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat hosts elaborate rituals and celebrations.
Legends about the Ganga
Ganga’s Birth
According to the Bhagavata Purana, when Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Vamana and measured the Universe, he pressed his big toe at its edge, creating a hole from which the divine Brahma-water gushed forth. This sacred stream became the Ganga. Since she first touched Vishnu’s feet, she is also called 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 were reduced to ashes by Sage Kapila for disturbing his meditation. Their souls wandered as ghosts, unable to attain Moksha due to the absence of proper last rites.
Both Anshuman (Sagara’s grandson) and Dilip (Anshuman’s son) tried to bring Ganga to Earth but failed. Bhagiratha, Dilip’s son, performed intense penance for many years and finally succeeded.
However, Ganga was angered and descended with great force. Fearing destruction, Lord Shiva caught her in his matted locks. Upon Bhagiratha’s plea, Shiva released her gently, allowing her to flow to Earth and purify the souls of Bhagiratha’s ancestors.
Significance of Ganga Dussehra
There are ten auspicious Vedic elements associated with Ganga Dussehra: Shukla Paksh, Jyeshtha month, Dashami (10th lunar day), Siddha Yoga, Thursday, Gar-Anand Yiga, Hasta Nakshatra, Sun in Taurus, and Moon in Virgo. Devotees can attain salvation by worshipping Ganga on this day. The day is also ideal for buying property, vehicles, and valuables. One may get absolution for one’s sins if one stands in the Ganga and recites the Ganga Stotra. The word “Dussehra” comes from “Dasha” (ten) and “Hara” (to destroy). Thus, bathing in the Ganga over these ten days is believed to destroy ten types of sins—or even the sins of ten lifetimes.
Ganga Dussehra 2025 Date
Ganga Dussehra 2025 falls on Thursday, June 5.
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On May 21, 2025