Ganga Dussehra is a deeply revered festival in Hinduism, observed every year on the Dashami (tenth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha. It commemorates the holy descent of Goddess Ganga from the heavens to Earth. This auspicious day holds immense religious significance, as it is believed that bathing in the Ganges and performing rituals on this day cleanses one of ten types of sins, which is why the festival is named “Dussehra” — meaning “ten destroyers.”
🌸 Ganga Dussehra 2025: Date & Auspicious Timings 🌸
- Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
- Dashami Tithi:
- Begins: June 4 at 11:54 PM
- Ends: June 6 at 2:15 AM
- Hasta Nakshatra:
- Begins: June 5 at 3:35 AM
- Ends: June 6 at 6:34 AM
- Vyatipata Yoga:
- Begins: June 5 at 9:14 AM
- Ends: June 6 at 10:13 AM
🕉️ Spiritual Significance of Ganga Dussehra
Ganga Dussehra not only marks the divine descent of Maa Ganga but also symbolizes the purification of body, mind, and soul. Devotees who bathe in the Ganges on this day — or even use Ganga water (Ganga Jal) at home for bathing with devotion — are believed to move closer to spiritual liberation (moksha). The festival emphasizes charity, self-discipline, worship, and inner purity.
🛐 Ganga Dussehra Puja Vidhi (Worship Method) 🛐
- Wake up during Brahma Muhurat (early pre-dawn hours) and purify yourself with a bath.
- If possible, bathe in the Ganga River. If not, mix Ganga Jal in your bathing water at home while mentally invoking the Goddess.
- Light a lamp in your home shrine and prepare for the ritual with a pure heart.
- Set up a kalash (sacred pot) filled with Ganga water, mango leaves, and betel nut.
- Offer prayers to Lord Shiva, Goddess Gauri, and Mother Ganga with full devotion.
- Use traditional offerings like betel leaves, rice grains (akshat), kumkum, durva grass, kush, fruits, flowers, coconut, and grains.
- Offer arghya (water offering) to the Sun God and silently resolve to atone for ten types of sins.
- Perform the Ganga Aarti with your family and distribute sacred offerings (prasad).
- Observing a fast on this day is also considered meritorious for those who are willing.
🎁 The Importance of Charity
Charity holds great value on Ganga Dussehra. Donating essentials like clothes, food grains, water, umbrellas, footwear, and hand fans is believed to yield immense spiritual benefits.
🙏 Can’t Visit the Ganga? Here’s What You Can Do
Devotees unable to visit the Ganges can still gain blessings by performing rituals at home. Bathe with Ganga Jal, meditate upon Mother Ganga, light a lamp, and conduct heartfelt worship. It is not the physical presence but the purity of intention that pleases the Goddess.
Ganga Dussehra is a celebration of nature, sanctity, and tradition. It inspires not just the quest for liberation but also awareness about water conservation, respect for rivers, and reverence for the natural world.
Har Har Gange! Jai Maa Gange!