The 10th day of Jyeshta Month is an important date in the Hindu calendar. It marks the Ganga Dussehra celebration. The festival has its importance and great significance in Hindu mythology. It is celebrated and loved all over India. This religious festival pays tribute to the Ganges’ descent on Earth. It allows all devotees to bathe in the Ganges’ holy waters. It flows through the popular pilgrimage sites of Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Devotees pray to Goddess Ganga and participate in festival rituals. The auspicious celebrations last for ten days. During this, the River Ganga is venerated every day and you can even perform hindu temple puja with an online temple. People travel to Uttarakhand regularly, to see:
- The prayers
- Rituals were performed to honor the River Ganga on Dashmi.
On the banks of the river, worshippers can be seen offering:
- Flowers
- Floating lamps in the river
- Singing reverent hymns.
Ganga Dussehra: A Celebration and Meaning
Many Hindu devotees take a holy dip in the River Ganga. It is believed that
- Its pure waters wash away sins
- Liberate humans from negativity
On this day, people remember their ancestors and show them respect by offering water. It is believed that those who offer prayers on this auspicious day will be blessed. You can also easily access the puja samagri online for any type of puja or Hindu ritual at OnlineTemple.
Every year, people visit:
- The Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varasani
- Har ki Pauri in Haridwar
People take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges. Devotees gather to pay their respects. Further, seek blessings from the Goddess Ganga. The River Ganga is a true symbol of purity. However, anyone who touches its waters is said to be cleansed. It is also believed that the water of the Ganga has healing properties. Thus, it can treat any physical ailment.
A grand Arti is performed on the river’s banks to honor the Goddess Ganga and commemorate its journey from Heaven to Earth. It is thought that the River only existed in heaven and that it descended to Earth in the guise of the Goddess Ganga to cleanse the ashes of King Bhagiratha’s ancestors.
On the same day, prayers are also offered to the river Yamuna. Devotees take a dip in the holy waters of the Yamuna River. It is quite similar to just as they do in the Ganga. The Yamuna River flows through various areas, including:
- Mathura
- Vrindavan
- Bateshwar.
People gather in these locations to:
- Pray
- Perform various Rituals
- Seek blessings.
The spirit of the festival
Ganga Dussehra also marks the peak of summer, so devotees all over the country distribute rose milk and rose water. In some places, kite-flying events are also held as a symbol of prayer and honor.
This year, the coronavirus pandemic is still going strong, so even though large crowds usually gather to see the beauty of the River Ganga, individuals are unable to come together for communal prayer. An online live arti would be broadcast for devotees who wanted to see and seek the blessings of Goddess Ganga. This year, we will all pray to the Goddess to heal everyone through her purity and piety. You should look into Hindu Online Puja Service to gain a new perspective and learn new aspects of Hindu traditions, Moksha, mythology, and customs.