Ganga Dussehra

Ganga Dusshera is a 10 day long festival, which is held in the month of Jayeshta, the month of June. The name of the festival has been derived its second name Dussehra from Dus which connotes ten and hara meaning defeat. Thus, the festival got its name as Ganga Dusshera.

The festival is dedicated to the holy river Ganga, venerated by the Hindus as a mother as well as a goddess. Ganga Dussehra is also recognized as Gangavataran which means the descent of the Ganga. These all 10 days are devoted to the sacred river Ganga. As per the legends, Gangavataran or the descent of the Ganga (Ganges) happened at this time, which arrives in the month of June.

On this occasion, numerous ceremonies are performed which include pujas, prayers and other rituals. This Hindu Festival is celebrated with great importance all across India, but is celebrate with special reverence and importance in the Hindu Community of the states like Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and Bihar, as through the territories of these states, the sacred river Ganga traverses. It is mainly celebrated in holy cities like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Varanasi, Prayag and Garh-Mukteswar.

Thousands of devotees flock together on the banks of the holy river Ganga and take bath in the pristine waters of the Ganges to wash away the sins from one’s soul. This celestial river which is believed to have been originated from the heavens also purifies one’s soul by the immersion of one’s ashes after cremation, in this sanctified river Ganga as is believed that after this deed one’s soul is released from the cycle of birth and death.

In one of the revered places in India, Haridwar, aartis are performed and prayers are offered to the holy river and a large number of devotees meditate here on the banks of the river Ganga. People also take back their home the holy waters of Ganga, as Ganga Jal is considered as the sanctified water, which purifies the sins.