Ganga is observed as a divine river in not only India but also amongst the most sacred rivers across the world. This truth is universal and is believed by all Indians and also by famous scholars of the world River. It is worshiped like a Goddess and it is believed that it was the tenth day of Jyeshta bright half when she was descended on earth from heaven. The day is celebrated as Ganga Dussehra. On this day, after a lot of hard work and penance of Bhagirath, a Suryavanshi king, got success to bring down the river to earth. Since then, every year the occasion of Ganga Dussehra is celebrated by performing several rites and rituals of Ganga pooja to commemorate her.
The Significance of Ganga Dussehra
As per the legend, there was a king named Sagara. The king had two wives. One of the wives gave birth to one son while other gave birth to 60,000 sons. Once, the king performed Ashva Medha Yagya but the horse that was going to be scarified was stolen by Indra because of the fear of being dethroned. Indra left the horse in the premises of ashram of Rishi Kapila. All the 60,000 sons of the king went out in search of the horse. By mistake, they thought that Rishi has stolen the horse. Because of this, the sage got angry and cursed them to be burnt in ashes. Then, the grandson of king Sagara, named Bhagirath, prayed Ganga for the salvation of his ancestors as he wanted to perform the last rites for his ancestors. Ganga asked for someone that could control her flow on earth otherwise it might result in destruction. For this, Bhagirath pleased Lord Shiva to control the flow of Ganga. Lord Shiva agreed to his penance and collected the flow of Ganga in his heavy matted hairs. From that day, Ganga began to flow from the hairs of Shiva on this earth. The reason why river Ganga is also called as Bhagirithi is that it was bought on this earth due to the severe penance done by Bhagirath to perform the last rites of his ancestors.
Ganga Dussehra Rituals
If it is not possible to take bath in Ganga on Ganga Dussehra pray at some other river or reservoir or with pure water at home as per the convenience. After that should do recital pooja in front of idol of Ganga. The idol of Ganga is considered as Trinetr, quadrilateral, adorned with white clothes and white lotus. King Bhagirath and Himalaya should also be worshipped which is highly recommended during Ganga pooja. Lord Shiva is the prime deity to be worship during the Ganga Pooja as he is sole owner and holder of river Ganga and by grace of his mercy only sent the river on earth for the welfare of mankind. The donation of ten eatable items mainly fruits and black sesame seeds are considered most auspicious.
- Devotees visit the holy river and take a dip in its pious water.
- They offer leaf boats containing ‘diya’, sweets and flowers to the river.
- Pilgrims chant Mantra, ‘shlokas’ and recite various hymns in the praise of Goddess Ganga.
- People get involved in the events of charity such as donating umbrellas, clothes, shoes to the needy people.
- In the evening time, devotees stand on the steps of various ‘Ghats’ and do the ritual of ‘Ganga Aarti’. It is a beautiful sight to see so many people immersed in devotion towards Goddess Ganga.
- Those devotees, who cannot visit River Ganga, offer their prayers to the deity at their place itself.
- They clean the praying area and place the idol or a picture of Goddess Ganga.
- Holy Ganga water is sprinkled in the whole house for purification.
- Devotees then do the recital ‘pooja’ in front of the idol.
- Lord Shiva is considered as the sole owner of the river Ganga and therefore special prayers are held this day to seek his blessings for getting success and well-being.
- King Bhagirath is also worshipped on this day. River Ganga is also called, ‘Bhagirathi’ because it was King Bhagirath who got her on the earth from the ‘Kamandal’ of Lord Brahma.
- It is a ritual to donate ten fruits, ten sweets and sesame seeds on this day.