Ganga Dussehra: Meaning, History, Puja Rituals & Benefits

India is full of festivities. And the festivals here are more than just religious; they are about life and celebration. Among the many festivals observed in this country, Ganga Dussehra is particularly important.

Table of Contents

1. Date and Tithi of The Ganga Dussehra
2. Important dates and Ganga Avataran Puja time
3. Story behind the celebration
4. Regions where Ganga Avataran is celebrated
5. Observing a fast on Ganga Dussehra has several benefits.
6. During the fast, certain rituals are followed. 

Date And Tithi Of The Ganga Dussehra 

Festival Ganga Dussehra is observed on the 10th day (Dashami Tithi) of the Waxing Moon (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Jyeshtha, according to the Hindu calendar. So it usually occurs in May or June. In 2024, Ganga Dussehra will be celebrated on June 16. Ganga Dussehra is also known as Gangavataran, which means the 'descent of Ganga'. Ganga Dussehra is usually observed a day before Nirjala Ekadashi. But sometimes, Ganga Dussehra and Nirjala Ekadasi fall on the same day. 

Important Dates & Ganga Avataran Puja Time 

Ganga Dussehra 2024. Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024
Dashami Tithi starts at 05:02 PM on June 15, 2024, and ends at 07:13 PM on June 16, 2024.
Hasta Nakshatra starts at 10:44 PM on June 14, 2024 and ends at 01:43 AM on June 16, 2024.
Vyatipata Yoga starts at 09:38 AM on June 14, 2024, and ends at 10:41 AM on June 15, 2024.

Story Behind the Celebration

Ganga Dussehra is a celebration dedicated to the Goddess Ganga, who is believed to have descended to Earth on this day. She descended to complete her task of releasing the cursed spirits of Bhagirath's forefathers. According to stories, before arriving on Earth, Goddess Ganga lived in Lord Brahma's kamandalu. Ganga descended to Earth, bringing with her the purity of heaven. The River Ganga is a gift to humanity as a result of Bhagirath's great penance, and she is also known as Bhagirathi. Bhagirath was descended from the Sagara dynasty. He prayed that the Ganga river would descend and bring life to the world. However, it proved to be a devastating force.

Lord Brahma then requested that Lord Shiva hold the locks. As a result, the Ganges lost its energy and became a quiet life-sustaining river. The Ganges is more than just a sacred river; it is also India's heart. Devotees admire this river for good fortune. On the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, hundreds of lamps are lit in the flowing river to promote peace and prosperity. The most prominent Ganga Dussehra celebration places in India are Haridwar, Prayag, and Varanasi. It originates in Gangotri in the snow-capped Himalayas, flows across the flaming plains of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and finally joins at the Bay of Bengal. In Allahabad, the Ganges flows into the Saraswati and Yamuna rivers. The confluence of three rivers in Prayag is considered the holiest location in India. 

Regions where Ganga Avaratan is celebrated.

Hindus celebrate Ganga Dussehra mostly in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and West Bengal, where the river Ganga flows. The key places for the celebrations are Haridwar, Varanasi, Garhmukteshwar, Rishikesh, Allahabad (now Prayagraj), and Patna. Devotees assemble on the Ganges' banks to perform aartis (a religious rite in which aarti is moved clockwise circularly in front of a god as a form of devotion) to the river.

Observing a fast on Ganga Dussehra has Several Benefits. 

1. It grants liberation from sins, purifies thoughts, actions, and speech.
2. Taking a holy dip in the Ganges on this day destroys ten types of sins related to thoughts, actions, and speech.
3. Reciting Ganga stotra while standing in the Ganges eliminates all sins.
4. Praying on Ganga Dussehra leads to attaining salvation and blessings from the divine. 

During the fast, certain rituals are followed. 

1. Partial fasting allows consumption of certain foods while abstaining from others.
2. Offerings include lighting lamps, participating in lamp donation, offering flowers and sweets.
3. Personal Rudrabhishek puja for Lord Shiva's worship is done to seek blessings for health, wealth, and prosperity.
4. Reciting Ganga mantras brings numerous benefits.
5. Participating in grand Ganga aarti at the ghats, where thousands gather to immerse in the holy river, is also customary.