Ganga Dussehra 2023 is a Hindu festival celebrated to mark the day when the holy river Ganga descended to earth. This Dussehra falls on the tenth day of the bright fortnight, i.e. during the Dashami tithi of Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha (waxing moon period) and this year it falls in the month of May. Ganga Dussehra is also known as Gangavataran which means the descent of Ganga.
The festival is mainly celebrate in northern India, especially in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar, where the river Ganga flows. Devotees take a dip in the holy river, perform puja (worship) and pray to Mata Ganga for purity and blessings.
It is believe that taking a dip in the river Ganges on this day can wash away all sins and bring salvation to the devotees. The festival is also important for followers of astrology, as it is believe that the position of the planets on this day positively affects human life.
So let’s know more about Ganga Dussehra 2023 date, rituals and significance.
Ganga Dussehra 2023: Date, Muhurat and Timing?
This year, Ganga Saptami will be observe on Tuesday, May 30, 2023
- Dashami Tithi Start: May 29, 2023, at 11:49 AM
- Dashami Tithi Ends: on May 30, 2023, at 1:07 PM
- Hasta Nakshatra Start: May 30, 2023, at 4:29 AM
- Hasta Nakshatra Ends: May 31, 2023, at 06:00 AM
- Vyatipata Yoga Start: May 30, 2023, at 8:55 PM
- Vyatipata Yoga ends: at 20:15 on 31 May 2023
What is the meaning of Ganga Dussehra?
Dussehra, a major Hindu festival, has great religious significance. This auspicious day signifies ten Vedic calculations that demonstrate the purifying power of the river Ganga to wash away ten kinds of sins related to thought, action and speech. By offering prayers on this day one can attain salvation and seek blessings from God. Dussehra is an auspicious day for important purchases such as valuables, new vehicles or new possessions.
Reciting the Ganga Stotra while standing in the Ganga on this day removes all sins. Bathing in the river on this day purifies the soul and cures all physical ailments. Apart from this, a personalize Rudrabhishekam Pooja can be performe on Ganga Dussehra to get health, wealth and prosperity. This ritual involves worshipping Lord Shiva and offering sacred objects to seek his blessings.
How to celebrate Ganga Dussehra 2023?
Ganga Dussehra is a very auspicious festival which is celebrate with great devotion by the people of Uttarakhand. According to the Hindu Panchang, it falls on Amavasya. People celebrate it for ten days with immense enthusiasm and fervor. The festival features a series of famous aartis held at the ghats where devotees from across the country gather to participate in various ceremonies including pujas and bathing rituals near the river banks.
Celebration and Ceremonies
Ganga Dussehra 2023 festival lasts for ten days. Therefore, devotees from all over India gather at various holy water spots in Haridwar, Varanasi, Garh-Mukhteshwar, Prayagraj etc. to participate in the ceremonies. During these ten days, people perform various rituals, immerse themselves in the sacred waters of the Ganga River and offer prayers to the river goddess.
Huge Gathering of Devotees
The sight of devotees thronging the ghats of Varanasi and Haridwar during Ganga Dussehra is magnificent. People start bathing in the Ganges River in the early hours of the morning and the number of devotees present is staggering. The atmosphere is fill with pure contentment and devotion and cannot be found anywhere else.
Rituals and Offerings
Ganga Dussehra 2023 presents several rituals that make people feel happy, satisfied and at peace. One of the most important rituals is the chanting of Ganga Chalisa followed by Vedic poojas in Lord Shiva temples where people wear Gangaajal lockets. People also visit Varanasi to witness the grandeur of Ganga Aarti. Additionally, many devotees donate to the needy during this auspicious occasion.
Aartis and Processions
The main highlight of the Ganga Dussehra celebrations is the grand aartis and processions held at the various ghats of the Ganga River. Performed with devotion and reverence, Aartis creates a spiritual aura and bring a sense of peace to the participants. Processions consisting of decorate idols of the deities are carried through the streets with great enthusiasm.
What benefits of reciting the Ganga Mantra?
Recitation of the Ganga Mantra on Ganga Dussehra is very auspicious and brings many benefits to the devotees. Some of the benefits of reciting the Ganga Mantra on Ganga Dussehra are:
Purification of the soul
The holy river Ganges has the power to purify the soul of a person. Reciting the Ganga Mantra on Ganga Dussehra helps purify one’s soul and cleanse one of all sins.
Spiritual Growth
Reciting Ganga Mantra on Ganga Dussehra helps in spiritual growth and development. Moreover, it helps devotees connect with the divine and achieve spiritual enlightenment.
Removal of Obstacles
Recitation of the Ganga Mantra on Ganga Dussehra helps to remove obstacles from life. Moreover, it helps devotees to overcome challenges and achieve success in all their endeavors.
Blessings of Goddess Ganga
Recitation of the Ganga Mantra on Ganga Dussehra invokes the blessings of Goddess Ganga. Due to this, the Goddess blesses the devotees with health, wealth and prosperity.
Relief from Physical Ailments
Reciting the Ganga Mantra on Ganga Dussehra can help provide relief from physical ailments. The holy water of the river Ganga has healing properties. Therefore reciting the mantra increases its benefits.
Significances of Ganga Dussehra
Ganga Dussehra, one of the important festivals for Hindus, has great significance for the people who live along the banks of the river Ganges. So let’s find some of the reasons why this festival is considered important.
Descent of the Ganges River
According to Hindu mythology, Ganga descended from the heavens to earth on the day of Ganga Dussehra. It is believed that a dip in the holy river on this day can purify the soul and wash away all sins.
Astrological meaning
Ganga Dussehra is also considered an auspicious day for those who follow astrology. It is said that the arrangement of the planets on this day can have a positive effect on human life.