Ganga Dusshera 2023: Ganga Dussehra is a Hindu festival that celebrates the avatarana (descending) of the river Ganga on Earth. It is also popular as Gangavataran in some parts of the country. The festival of Ganga Dusshera or Dasara is celebrated on the last day of a 10-day celebration. This year it falls on May 30.
VIDEO | Ganga Dussehra celebrations in Varanasi. pic.twitter.com/hU3J8PhFBi
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News)
May 30, 2023
आज ही गंगा स्वर्ग से धरती पर अवतरित हुईं। अवतरण के पश्चात भगीरथ आगे-आगे चले व गंगा उनका अ नुसरण करती गयीं ताकि उनके पूर्वजों को मोक्ष प् राप्त हो सके।
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#गंगा_दशहरा #गंगाअवतरण #गंगा #नमामि_गंगे pic.twitter.com/slO31npLTI
– Namami Gange (@cleanganganmcg)
May 30, 2023
Ganga Dasara 2023: date and time
Ganga Dasara is celebrated on the Dashami Tithi of Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha, which usually falls in the month of May or June of the Gregorian calendar. According to Drik Panchang, it is celebrated a day before Nirjala Ekadashi, but in some years Ganga Dussehra and Nirjala Ekadashi may fall on the same day.
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Date |
June 30, 2023 |
|
Dashami Tithi begins |
09:19 on May 29, 2023 |
|
Dashami Tithi ends |
10:37 on May 30, 2023 |
Ganga Dusshera 2023: History
Ganga Dussehra is a day dedicated to Goddess Ganga and celebrates the descent of Goddess Ganga like a river to the Earth. According to Hindu mythology, King Bhagiratha prayed to Lord Brahma and underwent tremendous penance to bring the heavenly river Ganges to Earth. His wish was to free the souls of his ancestors from the curse of sage Kapila. Since Lord Brahma was pleased with Bhagiratha’s devotion, he granted her wish and asked Lord Shiva to hold the gigantic goddess Ganga in her tangled locks and gently release her onto the Earth. Thus, Ganga Dussehra commemorates the occasion when the holy river Ganges descended from the sky to absolve the sins of humanity.
Ganga Dusshera 2023: Importance
The celebration has great religious and cultural value as it marks the cleansing and purifying powers of the sacred river. As in Sanskrit, Dasha means ten and hara means elimination; Therefore, bathing in the river during these ten days is believed to free the person from ten sins or, alternatively, ten lifetimes of sins. To obtain blessings and atone for their sins, devotees gather along the banks of the Ganges and pray, practice different rituals and immerse themselves in the river.
However, Ganga Dussehra also serves as a reminder of the crucial role that the Ganges River plays in the lives of millions of people, not only as a physical source of life and sustenance but also as a representation of spiritual purification and salvation.
Ganga Dusshera 2023: Rituals and celebrations
The rituals and customary celebration of Ganga Dusshera are similar in all parts of India. Devotees wake up early on Ganga Dussehra, immerse themselves in the holy Ganges and recite the Ganges Stotra. At night, they perform Ganga Aarti and offer flowers, Diya, betel leaves, fruits and sweets to the holy river. People also give charity to the needy and meditate by the river.
On the same day, Yamuna river is also worshiped and kite flying events are organized in many regions of the country. Devotees in Mathura, Vrindavan and Bateshwar offer watermelon and cucumber to the Yamuna river and distribute drinks like lassi, sharbat and shikanji to combat the scorching heat.
To honor and express gratitude to the lifelines of the country, devotees visit Prayagraj/Allahabad, Garhmukteshwar, Haridwar, Rishikesh and Varanasi. In particular, Varanasi is famous for its lively Ganga Dussehra celebrations. Countless devotees participate in the famous Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat. One can capture this serene moment that clearly marks the meaning of Ganga Aarti.
Important days and dates in May 2023
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Source: ptivs2.edu.vn