Ganga Dussehra 2025: All You Need to Know About the Sacred Descent of Goddess Ganga.png)
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New Delhi | June 4, 2025 — Ganga Dussehra, one of the most revered festivals in Hindu tradition, will be celebrated this year on Thursday, June 5, 2025. This auspicious day commemorates the descent of Goddess Ganga to Earth, and is widely observed across India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and West Bengal.
Devotees gather on the banks of the Ganges to take a holy dip and participate in special prayers, hoping to attain spiritual purity and divine blessings.
Ganga Dussehra 2025: Key Timings
- Dashami Tithi Begins: June 4, 2025 – 11:54 PM
- Dashami Tithi Ends: June 6, 2025 – 02:15 AM
- Hasta Nakshatra Begins: June 5, 2025 – 03:35 AM
- Hasta Nakshatra Ends: June 6, 2025 – 06:34 AM
- Vyatipata Yoga Begins: June 5, 2025 – 09:14 AM
- Vyatipata Yoga Ends: June 6, 2025 – 10:13 AM
Why Ganga Dussehra Is Celebrated
Ganga Dussehra is observed on the Dashami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha. According to Hindu mythology, this is the day when Goddess Ganga descended from the heavens to Earth to purify the souls of humanity.
The word "Dussehra" refers to the number ten, symbolizing the cleansing of ten kinds of sins — physical, verbal, and mental — by taking a holy dip in the Ganges on this day.
Spiritual Significance
Goddess Ganga is revered not just as a river but as a living deity who purifies and liberates. Known by many names like Jahnavi, Bhagirathi, Mandakini, Shubhra, and Shivapriya, she is said to cleanse sins, remove negativity, and guide souls toward salvation.
A bath in the Ganga on this day is considered to remove accumulated sins, bestow peace of mind, and bring spiritual upliftment.
The Mythological Story of Ganga Avataran
According to scriptures, King Bhagiratha performed rigorous penance to bring the heavenly river Ganga to Earth. His goal was to liberate the souls of his cursed ancestors.
Impressed by his devotion, Lord Brahma agreed to send Ganga down but instructed Bhagiratha to first worship Lord Shiva, who alone could bear the force of her descent. Upon Shiva’s acceptance, Ganga emerged from Lord Vishnu’s feet, flowed through Shiva’s matted locks, and finally reached Earth, thereby purifying it.
This divine occurrence is celebrated as Ganga Dussehra.
Ganga Dussehra 2025: Puja Rituals and Customs
Here’s how devotees traditionally observe the day:
- Wake up early before sunrise and take a holy dip in the Ganges.
- Offer Arghya (water offering) to the rising sun.
- Chant the sacred mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" while bathing.
- Ideally, devotees should take 10 dips, symbolizing the cleansing of 10 sins; if not possible, at least 3 dips are recommended.
- Offer flowers, sweets, diyas (lamps), and clothes like sarees or dupattas to the Goddess.
- Participate in Ganga Aarti during the evening.
- Engage in charity, offering food, clothes, or donations to Brahmins and the needy.
Mantras to Chant
Here are two powerful mantras for the occasion:
- Om Namah Shivaya
- Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
- Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat
Chanting these mantras is believed to strengthen mental clarity, remove obstacles, and invoke divine blessings.
Celebrations Across India
From Haridwar and Varanasi to Prayagraj and Rishikesh, lakhs of devotees will gather to perform deep daan (lamp offerings) and join processions and bhajans (devotional songs). In Varanasi, the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat becomes the center of Ganga Dussehra festivities.
The event also boosts tourism and pilgrimage, especially in the Ganga belt states.
Final Thoughts
As the countdown to Ganga Dussehra 2025 begins, spiritual fervor is once again in the air. Whether you're attending a grand Ganga Aarti in Varanasi or offering prayers from home, the day offers an opportunity for inner cleansing and divine connection.