Ganga Dussehra: the day Ganga came to earth

What Ganga Dussehra is

The Dashami of the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha is Ganga Dussehra. Dharmasindhu calls it Gangavatara: Ganga descended on Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami, and the day is named Dasahara. It is a great bathing festival on the Ganga's banks at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Garhmukteshwar and Patna, but people far from the Ganga also keep it at their nearest river or at home.

Note: this is a different festival from Ashvina's Vijayadashami (Dussehra); both are Dashamis, but of different months.

How the date is decided

Shastra (Dharmasindhu): the text lists ten yogas for the day: the month of Jyeshtha, the bright fortnight, the Dashami tithi, Wednesday, Hasta nakshatra, Vyatipata yoga, Gara karana, Ananda yoga, the Moon in Kanya and the Sun in Vrishabha. Of these, Dashami and Vyatipata are the main ones. All ten don't come together every year, so the rule is:

The forenoon (purvahna) is the first part of the day, from sunrise to midday. Our calendar decides the day by this rule, once, for Ujjain.

The name ‘Dasahara’: ten things to look at

Shastra (Dharmasindhu): in the Dasahara hymn Ganga is asked to take away ten kinds of wrongdoing, hence the name Dasha-hara. The text also lists the ten: three of the body (taking what was not given, needless violence, another's spouse), four of speech (harsh words, lies, tale-bearing, idle chatter), and three of the mind (coveting another's wealth, wishing harm on someone, clinging to falsehood).

Tradition holds that a bath in the Ganga lightens the mind. We see this not as a promise but as a beautiful practice: on this day, take one honest look at these ten in your own speech, conduct and thought.

The story: tradition / Purana story

Tradition tells that King Sagara's sixty thousand sons were burned to ash by the anger of the sage Kapila. For their release, Sagara's descendant Bhagiratha did long austerities so that the heavenly Ganga would come to earth. Her force was so great the earth could not bear it, so Shiva caught her in his matted hair and let her down gently. Ganga followed Bhagiratha from the Himalaya to the plains, which is why she is also called Bhagirathi.

It is a story of patience, of duty to one's forebears, and of respect for the power of nature.

How families celebrate

On the Ganga's banks: a dawn bath, Ganga puja and the evening Ganga aarti, with lamplight on the water. Dharmasindhu says the people of Kashi bathe at Dashashvamedha ghat, and people elsewhere bathe in their nearest river and worship Ganga. So Ganga can be honoured in any river.

Many homes have customs counted in tens (tradition): ten fruits, ten lamps, or giving something to ten people in need. It is the hot season, so giving sherbet, water, a fan, an umbrella or a clay pot is common too. Usually the next day is Nirjala Ekadashi, discussed on our Ekadashi page.

A simple puja (complete at home too)

1. A morning bath; if you can't go to a river, a little Ganga water in your bathwater (or plain clean water is enough).
2. A kalasha of water, a lamp, flowers; remember Ganga, Shiva and Bhagiratha.
3. Bow in Ganga's name, or recite a Ganga hymn.
4. A small resolve for yourself on one of the ten above, such as fewer harsh words this month.
5. Water for someone thirsty, food for someone in need.
6. Lend a hand cleaning your nearest river, pond or ghat.

No paid puja is needed. A bath and remembrance at home is complete.

River safety and cleanliness

Safety: the ghats are very crowded on Ganga Dussehra. Bathe only at proper, designated ghats; stay away from deep water and strong currents; if you can't swim, dip at the edge holding the chain or rope. Hold children's and elders' hands, and follow the administration's and river police's directions. In the fierce Jyeshtha heat, avoid the sun and keep drinking water.

Keep the river clean: don't put plastic, polythene, idols, leftover puja items, clothes or waste into the river; don't use soap or shampoo in it. Old rites mention offering many things into the river, but today keeping the river clean is the greatest respect to Ganga. Take flowers and leaves home for compost, use clay lamps, put them out at the ghat and bring them back.

Fasting and health: if you keep any fast, do so as your health allows. If you are unwell, pregnant, diabetic or on regular medicine, choose a lighter form with fruit and milk or ask your doctor; for health, the doctor comes first.

In ePandit

In ePandit: our calendar shows the festival day with your city's sunrise and sunset. The day is decided once, for Ujjain; your city's times are shown separately. We don't compute muhurta yet, and we never call a festival good or bad for anyone.

Frequently asked questions