India has an abundance of festivals, both religious and secular, that celebrate life and festivities. In Indian tradition, Ganga Dussehra 2024, also called Ganga Gangavataran/Jeth Ka Dussehra, is an important day. In honour of the River Ganga (Ganges), Mother Ganga descended to Earth on June 16, 2024, to alleviate the curse placed upon the ancestors of King Bhagirath.
Unlike Ganga Jayanti, this event commemorates her rebirth. Legend has it that Mother Ganga cleansed the earth and made it divine when she descended, having placated gods and other deities while residing in heavenly palaces. This festival honours pleasure and delight in the rich cultural diversity of India.
Date And Tithi of Ganga Dussehra
Hindus commemorate Ganga Dussehra, also called Gangavataran, on the tenth day of the waxing moon in Jyeshtha, often in May or June. It is scheduled for June 16th, 2024. It is traditionally observed one day ahead of Nirjala Ekadashi, however, occasionally they coincide. The Ganga Avataran Puja is planned on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
The History Behind the Festivity
India celebrates Ganga Dussehra, a festival honouring the Goddess Ganga, who came to Earth to save the ancestors of Bhagirath from their curse. Ganga was said to have brought the cleanliness of heaven to Earth by living in Lord Brahma’s kamandal before her fall.
Because of Bhagirath’s penance, the Ganges River, also called Bhagirathi, is a gift to humanity. Descendant of the Sagara dynasty, Bhagirath appealed to the Ganges river for life, but it proved to be a devastating power instead. When Lord Brahma begged Lord Shiva to keep the locks closed, the Ganges became a serene river teeming with life.
India’s sacred river, the Ganges, is revered for its potential to bring good fortune. Thousands of lights are lit in the Ganga River on Dussehra Eve to promote goodwill and peace. The cities of Varanasi, Prayag, and Haridwar also commemorate the event.
The Importance Of The Ganga Avataran Celebration
Hindus celebrate Ganga Dussehra on the tenth day of the waxing moon, or Shukla Paksha, which falls in May or June. It is mostly celebrated in West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. It is also a time to honour the Ganga’s flowing water, which has been instrumental in irrigating agricultural land.
Dussehra represents 10 fortunate Vedic calculations that demonstrate the Ganga’s ability to cleanse ten sins about words, deeds, and thoughts. One can achieve salvation by prayer offerings, and taking a dip in the Ganges during these 10 days is said to cleanse one of their ten sins—or, conversely, their ten lifetimes’ worth of misdeeds.
Goddess Ganga is the primary deity of this festival, and the day is devoted to her. The day that Ganga descended to Earth to fulfil her goal of freeing Bhagirath’s forefathers from cursed spirits is commemorated on this occasion. Living in Lord Brahma Goddess Ganga’s kamandal delivers heaven’s cleanliness to earth.
Shree Ganga Dussehra customs include bathing in the Ganga river and honouring the goddess Ganga. On this day of Daan punya, taking a bath in the Ganga River and performing acts of kindness are considered auspicious. On Shree Ganga Dussehra, it is stated that bathing in the sacred Ganga eliminates sins.
Devotees travel to Tirtha Sthal Prayagraj/Allahabad, Garhmukteshwar, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi to take a holy dip in the Ganga river. In Varanasi, lakhs of pilgrims partake in the Ganga aarti held at Dasaswamedh Ghat and conduct Ganga snan as part of the widely observed Ganga Dussehra celebration.
Unlike Ganga Jayanti, Shree Ganga Dussehra commemorates the day when Ganga was reborn. According to the Bhavishya Purana, if a person stands in the Ganges river on the day of Dussehra and recites the Ganga Stotra ten times, their every need would be fulfilled.
Rituals of Ganga Dussehra
Devotees commemorate the birth of Virtuous Salila Ganga on this day in honour of her successful attempt to bring the Ganges to Earth. They embellish it with gold and take a pure water bath to achieve this. Moreover, they carry out Shodashopchar by either sitting near a personified idol or carving the Prashanti idol of Shri Gangaji before praying to Om Namah Shivaayai Narayanyai Dussehraayai Gangayai Namah.
After that, they worship the Himalayan mountains, the source of the Ganga, and offer five wreaths to the Bhagiratha who brought the river to earth, Om Namo Bhagwate, and the Hrim Shrin Hili, Hili, Mili Milli Gange Maa Pavey Pavey Swaha Mantra. They provide 10 fruits, 10 lights, and tenser sesame as part of Gangaai Namah. They also give ten Brahmins ten ser sesame, barley, and wheat.
For meditation and holy baths, devotees travel to Prayag, Hrishikesh, Varanasi, and Haridwar. They also do pitru puja for their ancestors and offer aarti at the Ganges riverbank at dusk using leaf boats filled with flowers and fires.
Areas that Celebrate Ganga Avaratan
Major destinations for the Hindu celebration of Ganga Dussehra include Haridwar, Varanasi, Garhmukteshwar, Rishikesh, Allahabad, Prayagraj, and Patna. It is observed throughout Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and West Bengal. To perform aartis, a religious ceremony in which a light bulb is rotated clockwise in front of a god, devotees assemble near the banks of the Ganges. To erase sins and call upon the blessings of Goddess Ganga, special personalised rituals are provided.
Conclusion
A major Indian holiday honouring Mother Ganga’s rebirth, Ganga Dussehra 2024 is also known as Ganga Gangavatara/Jeth Ka Dussehra. It is observed on the tenth day of Jyeshtha, which is usually in May or June when the moon is waxing. When Ganga descended, it is said that she appeased gods and other deities and purified the land, turning it into a divine realm. Major towns such as Haridwar, Varanasi, Garhmukteshwar, Rishikesh, Allahabad, Prayagraj, and Patna also commemorate the event.