Ganga Dussehra 2026: Powerful rituals to wash away past sins

According to the Hindu calendar, Ganga Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day (Dashami Tithi) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha. This is a major festival that is celebrated to honor Goddess Ganga. As per the Gregorian calendar, this day typically falls in the month of May or June. This is an auspicious day, when Goddess Ganga descended on the earth. This year, Ganga Dussehra is going to be celebrated on May 25, 2026.

Who is Goddess Ganga?

According to the sacred text Mahabharata, Goddess Ganga was the mother of Bhishma Pitamah and the wife of Shantanu. The Ganga is considered the holy river of the world. As she emerged from Lord Vishnu's foot, Lord Shiva held her in his hair.

Ganga Dussehra: History

According to Hindu mythology, King Bhagiratha passionately observed fast and pleaded to Lord Brahma to bring the Ganga from heaven to Earth. His goal was to remove the curse that Sage Kapila had set on the souls of his ancestors. Lord Brahma recognized Bhagiratha's devotion and granted his request that Lord Shiva take the vast Ganga in his matted hair and gently release her to Earth. As a result, Ganga Dussehra honors the moment when the holy Ganga river emerged from the heavens to atone for humanity's transgressions.

Take part in Ganga aarti

Ganga Aarti is performed in the evening by a a large number of devotees who congregate close to Ganga ghats. They light a diya and offer it to the Goddess.

Take a holy bath

On the auspicious day of Ganga Dussehra, devotees travel to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Varanasi, and many other locations to take a holy bath in the Ganga River.

Donation and charity

On this auspicious day of Ganga Dussehra, people can donate food and clothes to the poor. Feeding brahmins on this auspicious day is considered meritorious.

The importance of number ten

It is believed that anything you do on this auspicious occasion of Ganga Dussehra is rewarding. You should take ten holy dips, donate ten types of food, grains and fruits. This will improve the effectiveness of the puja and grant forgiveness for ten different kinds of sins.