Celebrated in the state of Uttarakhand, Ganga Dusshera or Dasar Festival is organized in the month of May-June. The festival is held for ten days where Ganga River is worshipped. As per Hindu mythology, on this day, the holy River Ganga descended from heaven to earth. This festival in Uttarakhand starts on the Amavasya night (waxing moon) of Hindu calendar and ends on Dashami tithi (10th Day). An Aarti takes place on Ganga Dusshera which is held on the bank of the river in the popular pilgrimage destinations of Haridwar and Rishikesh. Ganga Dussehra is all about cleansing the soul by taking bath in the sacred River of Ganga. After taking bath people also meditate on the banks of River Ganges. In the evening earthen lamps are floated in the river along with the singing of devotional songs by the devotees.
The legend has it that there was the king named Sagara who had 60,000 sons who were looking out for a lost horse for the Ashwamedha Yagya that was tied near the Ashram of Sage Kapil by God Indra. The 60,000 sons said to have created a lot of commotion which disturbed the meditating Sage Kapila and in anger when the sage opened his eyes, he burned them to ashes. He told them the touch of the holy water Ganga would only give them the Moksha. As per the legend, one of the descendants of King Sagara, named Bhagiratha performed austerity to gratify Brahma and asked him to send Ganga on earth. Goddess Ganga then came down to earth in seven streams and washed down all the ashes of Bhagiratha ancestors, and thus, Ganga Dusshera is celebrated as the day when the river descended from heaven to earth.
Highlights:
- Ganga Dussehra is held for ten days in the month of May/June.
- During the festival, devotees take a dip in the holy water of the river to cleanse their soul and all their sins.
- In the evening, Aarti takes place, earthen lamps are put to float on the river and reverential melodies are sung by the devotees.
- On the same day, the River Yamuna is also worshiped. Similarly to Ganga, devotees also take a dip in the holy river Yamuna at places where the stream is flowing.
