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Ganga Dussehra 2024 - Importance Of Ganga Dussehra Festival – Ganga Dashmi

Ganga Dussehra, also known as Maa Ganga Dashahara, is a 10-day festival dedicated to Goddess Ganga (River Ganga or the Ganges). In 2024, Ganga Dussehra festival date is from June 7 to June 16. Ganga Dussehra 2024 date is June 16. The festival is celebrated during the first ten days of the Jyeshta Month (May – June) – the first 10 days during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).

Importance Of Ganga Dashahara Festival – Ganga Dashmi
It is believed that Goddess Ganga touched the earth on the 10th day of the Shukla Paksha of Jyeshta.

Legend has it that King Bhagirath performed intense austerities to bring down Ganga on to earth so that his ancestors are relieved of their sins. Finally, Ganga descended from heaven and Lord Shiva held Her in his matted locks so that the power of Goddess does not destroy the earth. She then traveled to earth purifying all that she touched.

Numerous ceremonies are held on the occasion including pujas, prayers, and other rituals. In recent years, with human greed destroying and polluting Ganga, there are special meetings and padayatra held on the occasion to highlight the importance of Ganga and the need to protect it.

It must be noted that the day Ganga descended on earth is observed differently in different regions. In some regions, it is observed as Ganga Saptami and in some regions on the Akshaya Tritiya day.

Goddess Ganga Devi is an important deity in Hinduism and bathing in the divine river is the believed to cleanse the sins committed. The ritual of bathing in Ganga is also a way to achieve moksha – the escape from the endless cycles of birth and death.

The festival of great importance in those places through which the Ganges flows especially at Haridwar and Prayag (Allahabad). Ganga is worshipped in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Bengal during this period.

What to do during Ganga Dashahara or how to observe Ganga Dashmi?

The most important ritual during the period is taking a holy bath on the ghats situated in important holy places along the banks of River Ganga.

Ganga Stotra is chanted in an order till the 10th day.

Performing Shradh in remembrance of dead people in the family is meritorious.

The most important thing a devotee can do is to make Ganga clean by doing what little he/she can.

Reading story of King Bhagirath bringing down Ganga to earth earns merit.

Cleaning the river and its banks should be given importance when visiting the river.

Apart from bathing in the river on the day, people mediate on the banks and recite the prayer dedicated to Ganga:

Devi suresvari bhagavati gange
Tribhuvana tarini tarala tarange
Sankara mauli viharini vimale
Mama matirastam tava pada kamala
Bhagirathi sukhadayini matas
Tava jala mahima nigame khyatah
Naham jane tava mahimanam
Pahi krpamayi mama ajnanam

Save Ganga

The global warming phenomenon has started affecting Ganga and the glaciers that provide water to this perennial river is fast depleting. Environmentalists have been warning about the serious consequences that are in store, if we humans are not ready to change and live in harmony with nature. 


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