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Festival Profile

Ganga Dussehra

Celebration of the Ganga's descent to Earth, with bathing and prayers.

All festivals

Ganga Dussehra celebrates the descent of the river Ganga from heaven to Earth, a day of holy bathing and prayers.

Stories behind the festival

The descent of the Ganga

Treta Yuga
King Bhagiratha prayed for the descent of the Ganga to release his ancestors from a curse. The mighty river descended, and Lord Shiva caught her in his matted hair, releasing her gently to flow over the earth, purifying all she touched.
Bhagiratha legend

Why we celebrate

Ganga Dussehra celebrates the descent of the river Ganga from heaven to Earth, a day of holy bathing and prayers.
Bhagiratha legend (Ganga descent)

When

Ganga Dussehra falls on the tenth day (Dashami) of the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha (May-June).

Since when it is followed

The Ganga descent narrative is ancient, and Ganga Dussehra has been observed for centuries.
Puranic tradition

Who celebrates / for whom

Celebrated by Hindus, especially along the Ganga at Haridwar, Varanasi and Allahabad.

Origin

The origin is the descent of Ganga, brought to Earth by the prayers of King Bhagiratha to liberate his ancestors.
Bhagavata Purana; Bhagiratha legend

Key deities

The river goddess Ganga, and Lord Shiva who caught the descending Ganga.

How to celebrate

Take a holy bath in the Ganga, offer prayers and lamps, and in some regions dip ten small pebbles or perform rituals to mark the ten days of her descent.

Rituals & offerings

Holy bathing, Ganga aarti, and the offering of lamps and prayers.

Key facts

Ganga Dussehra is said to absolve ten kinds of sins.
Regional tradition