Ganga Dussehra 2024 Date | Rituals
Ganga Dussehra is an important festival of Hindus. The word Ganga Dussehra is made up of two words Ganga meaning holy river Ganga and Dussehra meaning tenth day. It is believed that on this day Goddess Ganga descended from heaven to earth with her life-sustaining sacred water for living beings.
Ganga Dushehra 2024 Date
Ganga Dussehra in 2024 will be celebrated on 16 June 2024.
Why did Goddess Ganga descend to the Earth
According to legend, a ruler of ancient India named Bhagiratha performed severe penance and repented to atone for the sins committed by his ancestors. For this he sought blessings from Lord Brahma and requested him to ask Goddess Ganga to come to earth with the king. Lord Brahma agreed to the king's request and asked Goddess Ganga to make him his abode on earth. But Goddess Ganga warns that, if she comes to the earth, the earth may not be able to bear the powerful waves of the river and may itself be engulfed by the river.
Then Lord Shiva came to the rescue and held Goddess Ganga in his locks, causing the river to slowly flow on the earth. This day of divine incarnation of Goddess Ganga is celebrated as Ganga Dussehra.
Ganga Dussehra Rituals and Celebrations
Ganga Dussehra is celebrated especially in North India in various ways, like taking holy bath, Ganga Aarti, procession and prayers etc.
Holi Dip – People gather in large numbers at the Ganga ghats and take a holy dip on the 10th Tithi i.e. Dashami. It is believed that if we take a holy bath in the river Ganga then the river washes away our sins.
Ganga Aarti – People gather in large numbers on river banks across the country and pray to Goddess Ganga in the form of Ganga Aarti.
Shobha Yatra – In some parts of India, elaborate processions of idols of Goddess Ganga accompanied by music and cultural dance are taken out to celebrate Ganga Dussehra.
Offering prayers – Devotees also light oil lamps and offer food and flowers to the river Ganga to express devotion.
