Ganga Dussehra 2025: Date, Significance & Vrat Katha

Ganga Dussehra is a revered Hindu festival that commemorates the descent of the holy river Ganga to Earth. Celebrated with immense devotion, this festival symbolizes the purification of sins and the attainment of salvation. In 2025, Ganga Dussehra will be observed on Thursday, June 5, aligning with the Dashami Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha .

Ganga Dussehra 2025 Date (Ganga dushhara kab hai 2025)

• Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025

• Tithi: Dashami (10th day) of Shukla Paksha in Jyeshtha month

• Significance: Marks the day when Goddess Ganga descended to Earth to purify the souls of King Bhagiratha’s ancestors

Significance of Ganga Dussehra

The term “Dussehra” is derived from ‘Dasha’ meaning ten and ‘Hara’ meaning to destroy. Thus, Ganga Dussehra signifies the purging of ten sins: five committed by actions and five by thoughts. Bathing in the Ganga on this day is believed to cleanse these sins, leading to spiritual liberation.

Legend: The Descent of Goddess Ganga

According to Hindu mythology, King Bhagiratha performed intense penance to bring the celestial river Ganga to Earth to purify the ashes of his ancestors. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Shiva caught Ganga in his matted locks to prevent her force from destroying the Earth and gently released her, allowing her to flow and purify the land.

How is Ganga Dussehra Celebrated?

Devotees across India engage in various rituals:

• Holy Dip: Taking a dip in the Ganga, especially at Haridwar, Prayagraj, and Varanasi, is considered highly auspicious.

• Puja and Aarti: Special prayers and Ganga Aarti are performed at riverbanks.

• Donations: Offering clothes, food, and money to the needy.

• Lighting Lamps: Floating diyas in the river as a mark of respect and devotion.

What to Do on Ganga Dussehra?

• Observe Fasting: Many devotees fast to purify their body and soul.

• Chant Mantras: Reciting sacred mantras dedicated to Goddess Ganga.

• Perform Tarpan: Offering water to ancestors for their peace.

• Distribute Prasad: Sharing sacred offerings with family and friends.

Ganga Dussehra Pooja Vidhi (Vrat Procedure)

गंगा दशहरा पूजा विधि:

• Morning Rituals: Wake up early and take a bath, preferably in the Ganga or with Ganga water.

• Sankalp (Vow): Take a vow to observe the fast and perform the rituals with devotion.

• Puja Setup: Place an idol or image of Goddess Ganga on a clean platform.

• Offerings: Present flowers, fruits, incense, and lamps to the deity.

• Mantra Chanting: Recite mantras like “Om Namo Gangaayai Namah”.

• Aarti: Perform the Ganga Aarti with devotion.

• Prasad Distribution: Share the sacred offerings with others

Ganga Dussehra Mantra

Chanting the following mantra is believed to invoke the blessings of Goddess Ganga:

“Om Namo Gangaayai Namah”

“ॐ नमो गङ्गायै नमः”

Ganga Dussehra Vrat Vidhi

• Fasting: Devotees observe a day-long fast, consuming only fruits and milk.

• Puja: Perform rituals dedicated to Goddess Ganga with utmost devotion.

• Charity: Donate essentials to the underprivileged.

Ganga Dussehra Pooja Items

• Ganga water

• Flowers (especially white)

• Incense sticks

• Lamps (diyas)

• Fruits and sweets

• Betel leaves and nuts

• Red cloth

• Coins for donation

Vrat Katha of Ganga Dussehra

A long time ago, King Sagar ruled over the earth. He belonged to the Suryavanshi (Solar) dynasty and was known to be a virtuous and powerful king. Once, King Sagar performed an Ashwamedha Yajna (horse sacrifice ritual). During the yajna, the ritual horse was stolen by Lord Indra and tied near the ashram of Sage Kapil.

King Sagar then sent his 60,000 sons to search for the horse. When they found it at Sage Kapil’s ashram, they accused the sage without any thought. Disturbed from his deep meditation, Sage Kapil opened his eyes, and due to the intensity of his yogic power, all of King Sagar’s sons were burned to ashes.

When King Sagar learned of this, he was heartbroken. He sent his grandson Anshuman to seek a way to liberate the souls of his sons. Anshuman vowed to bring the river Ganga down to earth, as only her sacred waters could provide salvation to the departed souls. However, he was unable to accomplish this. Later, his son Dilip tried but also failed.

Finally, King Bhagirath, the great-grandson of King Sagar, undertook intense penance. He meditated and worshiped Lord Brahma and later Lord Shiva for many years. Lord Brahma agreed to send Ganga to earth, but due to her powerful flow, Bhagirath had to pray to Lord Shiva to control her descent.

Lord Shiva was pleased with Bhagirath’s devotion and caught the descending Ganga in his matted locks (jata) and gently released her upon the earth. The holy river flowed down and touched the ashes of Sagar’s sons, granting them liberation (moksha).

This divine event is commemorated as Ganga Dussehra, the day when Mother Ganga descended from the heavens to cleanse the earth and grant salvation.

गंगा दशहरा व्रत कथा (Vrat Katha of Ganga Dussehra)

बहुत प्राचीन काल की बात है। पृथ्वी पर राजा सगर राज्य करते थे। वे सूर्यवंशी थे और अत्यंत धर्मात्मा व पराक्रमी राजा माने जाते थे। राजा सगर ने एक बार अश्वमेध यज्ञ किया। यज्ञ के दौरान उनका यज्ञ का अश्व (घोड़ा) इंद्र द्वारा चुराकर कपिल मुनि के आश्रम के पास बांध दिया गया।

राजा सगर ने अपने 60,000 पुत्रों को अश्व खोजने के लिए भेजा। जब उनके पुत्रों ने कपिल मुनि के आश्रम में घोड़ा देखा, तो उन्होंने बिना सोचे-समझे मुनि पर दोषारोपण कर दिया। तपस्या में लीन कपिल मुनि ने जब आंखें खोलीं तो उनके तेज से राजा सगर के सारे पुत्र भस्म हो गए।

राजा सगर को जब यह ज्ञात हुआ तो वे अत्यंत दुखी हुए और उन्होंने अपने पोते अंशुमान को भेजा कि वे अपने पितरों की मुक्ति के लिए कोई उपाय करें। अंशुमान ने भी गंगा को पृथ्वी पर लाने का संकल्प किया लेकिन वे असफल रहे। इसके बाद अंशुमान के पुत्र दिलिप ने प्रयास किया, लेकिन वे भी सफल नहीं हुए।

फिर राजा भगीरथ ने कठोर तपस्या की। उन्होंने कई वर्षों तक भगवान ब्रह्मा और फिर शिवजी की घोर आराधना की। भगवान ब्रह्मा ने गंगा को धरती पर भेजने का वर दिया, लेकिन उसकी तेज धार को रोकने के लिए भगीरथ को भगवान शिव की तपस्या करनी पड़ी।

भगवान शिव ने प्रसन्न होकर गंगा को अपनी जटाओं में समाहित कर लिया और फिर धीरे-धीरे पृथ्वी पर छोड़ा। गंगा ने आकर सगर के पुत्रों की राख को स्पर्श किया और उन्हें मोक्ष प्राप्त हुआ। इसी दिन को गंगा दशहरा के रूप में मनाया जाता है।