Ganga Dussehra, also known as Gangavataran, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated with great fervor across India, particularly in the states along the banks of the revered Ganges River. This auspicious day marks the descent of the Ganga to Earth, a celestial event that holds immense religious significance.
Ganga Dussehra, a festival steeped in deep spiritual ethos, is celebrated with great enthusiasm to honor the descent of the holy river Ganges from heaven to earth. The festival’s name itself, ‘Dussehra,’ derived from ‘Dus’ meaning ‘ten’ and ‘Hara’ signifying ‘defeat,’ commemorates the day when ten sins are believed to be washed away upon taking a dip in the sacred waters.
The mythological roots of Ganga Dussehra trace back to the ancient tale of King Bhagirath, whose ancestors, the sixty thousand sons of King Sagara, were reduced to ashes due to a sage’s curse. To liberate their souls and grant them salvation, Bhagirath undertook a severe penance to bring Ganga from the heavens to the earth. After his relentless devotion, Goddess Ganga descended and her purifying waters released the souls of his ancestors, allowing them to ascend to heaven.
This divine event is said to have occurred on the tenth day of the bright half of the Hindu month Jyeshtha, which usually falls in late May or early June. The festival is not only a celebration of this mythological event but also a day that emphasizes purification, both spiritually and physically.
Devotees celebrate Ganga Dussehra by taking holy baths in the Ganges, performing charity, and conducting pujas and aartis. It is believed that participating in these sacred rituals leads to absolution from ten types of sins, including physical, mental, and speech-related transgressions.
The festival also highlights the importance of rivers in Indian culture and their role in sustaining life. It serves as an occasion for raising awareness about keeping our rivers clean and preserving their sanctity for future generations.
In essence, Ganga Dussehra is not just a religious observance but a day that reinforces the values of cleansing, redemption, and respect for nature’s bounty. It reminds us of our duties towards our environment and encourages us to lead lives that are harmonious with nature.