This year, the auspicious event of Ganga Dussehra will be observed on June 5, 2025, marking a deeply revered occasion in the Hindu calendar. According to tradition, it was on this very day — Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami, (the tenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Jyeshtha) that the holy river Ganga descended to Earth, blessing & purifying the Earth with her holy waters.
The word “Dussehra” in this context derives from “Dasha” (ten) and “Hara” (to destroy), signifying the belief that taking a holy dip in the Ganga on this day washes away ten kinds of sins.
The Skanda Purana, particularly the Kashi Khand, praises this tithi as extremely holy. It further mentions that this tithi is Saṁvatsaramukhī — the gateway to a blessed year — and taking a holy dip on this day destroys ten types of sins.
In the Narada Purana (Uttarabhaga) also, the date and benefits of Ganga Dussehra are clearly mentioned as in the month of Jyeshtha, on the bright tenth day under Hasta Nakshatra, Mother Jahnavi (Ganga) descended to Earth. Bathing in her on this day destroys ten kinds of sins. It grants a hundred times more merit than even a great sacrifice like a Yajna.
The story of Ganga coming to Earth is not just an old legend. It shows the deep faith and effort of King Bhagiratha, who gave up everything and prayed for many years to bring holy Ganga down to Earth from the heavens. He did this so with the sole purpose of liberation & peace to the souls of his ancestors. This timeless inspiring story is found in the Mahabharata, especially in Volume 2, Vana Parva, Tirtha-yatra Parva, Chapters 108 and 109, published by Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
A long time ago, King Sagara’s 60,000 sons were burned to ashes because they disturbed Sage Kapila during his meditation. Their souls could not find peace because no funeral was done.
Many years later, their descendant, King Bhagiratha, decided to help them. He prayed and did hard penance to bring the river Ganga from the heavens to Earth. Ganga agreed to come, but she said her strong flow might harm the Earth. So Bhagiratha prayed to Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva caught Ganga in his thick hair and slowly let her flow down. Ganga followed Bhagiratha and finally touched the ashes of the princes. Their souls were set free and found peace.
Since then, Ganga is also called Bhagirathi, named after King Bhagiratha who brought her to Earth.
Jyotsnaa G Bansal is a Reiki Grandmaster, Numerologist, IKS & Vedic Learner & Seeker, Author, Columnist, Researcher, Counselor, and Crystals & Spiritual Guide.
