Ganga Dussehra · गंगा दशहरा
Ganga Dussehra, also called Gangavataran, celebrates the descent of the Ganga from heaven to earth, which tradition places on Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami, in the Hasta nakshatra, after King Bhagiratha's long penance. "Dashahara" is explained as "remover of the ten": bathing in the Ganga on this day is said to wash away ten kinds of sin, of body, speech and mind.
Dates
Dates and times are for New Delhi (Asia/Kolkata). They can differ in other places, especially outside India, and between traditions.
How the date is determined
Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami prevailing at sunrise; in a year with an adhik Jyeshtha, the Dashami of the adhik month.
Devotees bathe in the Ganga or another holy river, worship Ganga and Shiva, offer lamps on the water, and give cooling gifts such as water pots, fans, clothes and food. Large crowds gather at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Garhmukteshwar, and the evening Ganga aarti is a high point.
Regional and tradition differences
In Mathura and Vrindavan the Yamuna is also worshipped and kites are flown. In a year with an adhik (extra) Jyeshtha, the reference panchangs keep the festival in the adhik month.
What to recite
Sources
- Ganga Dussehra, Wikipedia (2026)
- गंगा दशहरा, Bharat Discovery (2026)
Change log
- : Published.