Ganga Dussehra

Ganga is considered to be one of the holiest river in Hinduism and is said to be the river that can wash away all sins. Ganga Dussehra is celebrated for ten days to commemorate the day on which Ganga came down to earth from heaven. It is celebrated in the Jyeshtha month of the Hindu calendar (May/June).

Legend

The legend regarding the descending of Ganga from heaven to earth is that it came down to wash the sins of the world. It started by flowing through the hair locks of Lord Shiva so that it does not wash the whole earth away, it then flowed peacefully till it reached the sanctuary of the Brahmin Rishi, Jahnu. The flow of Ganga from his abode angered Jahnu so much that he drank the whole river in his rage; he only released it after many gods pleaded with him.

Celebration

Ganga Dussehra is celebrated at almost all the places from where the Ganga flows, thousands of pilgrims from India gather here and take a bath in Ganga in order to wash away all of their sins. It is said that up to 10 sins can be washed away by praying to Ganga and taking a bath in the river.