🌊
Ganga Dussehra
Festival Significance
Ganga Dussehra celebrates the descent of the holy river Ganga from heaven to earth. It falls on Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami. A sacred dip on this day is believed to wash away ten sins (hence Dussehra — das + hara).
Rituals
Take holy dip in the Ganga. Offer flowers, diyas, and milk to the river. Perform Ganga Aarti. Donate to the poor. Fast and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Ganga.
In Varanasi
Ganga Dussehra is one of Varanasi's most important celebrations. The ghats overflow with devotees taking sacred dips from dawn. Grand Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat draws enormous crowds. Thousands of floating diyas illuminate the river at night.