Ganga Dussehra 2024: Celebration, Timings, Rituals and Significance

Ganga Dussehra 2024: Ganga Dussehra, also known as Gangavataran, is a significant Hindu festival that falls on June 16, 2024 this year. 

It marks the holy descent of the River Ganges from heaven to earth, according to mythology. Devotees across India celebrate this day with piety and reverence, seeking blessings for prosperity and liberation from the Goddess Ganga.

Ganga Dussehra Puja Muhurat Details and Timings:

Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024
Dashami Tithi Begins: June 16, 2024 - 02:32 AM
Dashami Tithi Ends: June 17, 2024 - 04:43 AM
Hasta Nakshatra Begins: June 15, 2024 - 08:14 AM (for reference)

Celebrations and Rituals:

Ganga Dussehra is a vibrant festival, particularly along the banks of the Ganges. Here are some of the key practices observed by devotees:

Snan (Holy Bath): Thousands of devotees undertake pilgrimages to holy towns like Haridwar, Varanasi, and Rishikesh to take a sacred dip in the Ganges. This ritual is believed to cleanse sins and bring spiritual merit.

Puja (Worship): Offerings of flowers, fruits, and sweets are made to the Ganges, seeking her blessings for good fortune and peace. Devotees might also perform puja at home if unable to visit the river.

Daan (Charity): Donating food, clothes, or money to the underprivileged is considered particularly auspicious on this day. This act of charity reflects the importance of compassion and social responsibility within Hinduism.

Fasting: Some devotees observe a full-day or partial fast on Ganga Dussehra as a way to show their devotion and focus on spiritual purification.

Significance of Ganga Dussehra:

Ganga Dussehra holds immense religious and cultural significance for Hindus. Taking a dip in the river on this day is believed to wash away sins and grant liberation from the cycle of rebirth. 

The festival also highlights the importance of environmental consciousness and the need to protect this sacred river.