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Ganga Saptami 2024 Date – Ganga Jayanti - Importance of Ganga River Festival

Ganga Saptami is believed to be the day when Ganga River descended onto Earth. In 2024, the date of Ganga Saptami is May 14. Some scholars call it as the birthday or birth anniversary of Goddess Ganga. The day is also known as Jahnu Saptami. It is mentioned in numerous Hindu scriptures that Ganga descended on earth on the seventh day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in Vaisakha month. This is an important festival for many spiritual organizations. Special pujas and rituals are offered to Goddess Ganga on the day.

Importance of Ganga Saptami - Ganga River Festival 

Birthday of Ganga River - Importance of Ganga River Festival
Details of Goddess Ganga descending on to the earth on the seventh during the Shukla Paksha of Vaisakh month is mentioned in the Padma Purana and Narada Purana.

Ganga was brought down on to earth by King Bhagiratha. He did this for the salvation of his ancestors who were turned into ashes by Sage Kapila.

All the 60,000 ancestors of King Bhagiratha attained moksha. From that day onwards Ganga also came to be known as Moksha Dayini.

There river is known as Mandakini in heaven; as Ganga on earth and as Bhogavati in the patala (netherworld of underworld).

As per Vishnu Purana, Ganga originates from the feet of vishnu - from the nail on the thumb of this left feet.

Earth could not take the fall of mighty Ganga, therefore she first flowed on to the matted locks of Shiva. Here she split into seven rivers -

Nalini, Haldini and Pavani in northside.
Sita, Chakushas and Sindhu in the westside
Bhagirathi (Ganga) the seventh river flowed southeast.

Ganga is also believed to be the daughter of Himavan (king of mountains) and Maneka his spouse. This is because she has her origins in the Himalayas.

As she is the daughter of Himavan, she is also the sister of Goddess Parvati.

Kartik, son of Shiva, was born on Ganga River and therefore she is also one of the mothers of Kartikeya – Murugan or Skanda.

As per Puranas, Ganga travels on a crocodile (makara). She hold Kalash (symbol of water, life and fertility).

In the Nadi Sutra in Rig Veda, Ganga is mentioned.

Those worshiping Ganga River on the Ganga Saptami day will have all their sins washed away. Those undertaking holy dip in the river on the day will attain moksha or salvation.

Ganga Jayanti

In Haridwar and other regions, Ganga Saptami is believed to be the day when Goddess Ganga descended from heaven onto Lord Shiva’s matted locks and then flowed onto the Himalayas. Therefore the day is observed as Ganga Jayanti.

Another legend has it that Ganga River violently entered into the ashram of Saint Jahnu and distributed his meditation. Overwhelmed by the anger Jahnu Rishi drank Ganga and released her through his ear. This day is marked as Ganga Saptami.

It must be noted here that some scriptures suggest that Ganga appeared on earth on Akshaya Tritiya day and some during Ganga Dussehra in Jyeshta month.

What do Hindus Do on Ganga Saptami?

  • Holy dip in the river.
  • Ganga Puja
  • Vrat (Fasting)
  • Donation.
  • The belief is that Ganga will bless her devotees with all kinds of worldly pleasures, peace and prosperity.
  • Bad luck will change into good luck.
  • Puja, worship, prayers and holy bath on the day will help in curing physical ailments.

Ganga Saptami Mantra

गं गंगायै विष्णु-पाद-संभूतायै नमः
Gam Gangaye Vishnu pada Sambhutaye Namah

Or
गंगायै नमः
Om Gangaye Namah

Chanting anyone of the above mantra 108 times on the day will help in desire fulfillment.