Ganga Dussehra- Haridwar :

The river Ganges or Ganga is considered holy in the Hindu religion and is treated like a mother. Ganga Dussehra, also known as Gangavataran, which means 'the descent of the Ganga' is being celebrated on June 12 this year. Every year, Ganga Dussehra is celebrated on Dashami Tithi or the tenth day of the bright half of the moon in the month of Jyaistha as per the Hindu calendar. Ganga Dussehra is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and is celebrated by performing several rites and rituals of Ganga pooja.

Celebration :

Celebrated in the territory of Uttarakhand, Ganga Dusshera or Dasar Festival is sorted out in the period of May-June. The celebration is held for ten days where Ganga River is venerated. According to Hindu folklore, on this day, the blessed River Ganga plummeted from paradise to earth. This celebration in Uttarakhand begins on the Amavasya night (waxing moon) of Hindu schedule and closures on Dashami tithi (tenth Day).

An Aarti happens on Ganga Dusshera which is hung on the bank of the waterway in the mainstream journey goals of Haridwar and Rishikesh. Ganga Dussehra is tied in with purifying the spirit by cleaning up in the holy River of Ganga. Subsequent to washing up individuals additionally reflect on the banks of River Ganges. At night earthen lights are skimmed in the waterway alongside the singing of reverential tunes by the aficionados.

The legend has it that there was the ruler named Sagara who had 60,000 children who were paying special mind to a lost steed for the Ashwamedha Yagya that was tied close to the Ashram of Sage Kapil by God Indra. The 60,000 children said to have made a considerable measure of tumult which bothered the contemplating Sage Kapila and in indignation when the sage opened his eyes, he consumed them to fiery remains. He disclosed to them the dash of the blessed water Ganga would just give them the Moksha. According to the legend, one of the relatives of King Sagara, named Bhagiratha performed grimness to satisfy Brahma and requesting that he send Ganga on earth.

Goddess Ganga at that point came rational in seven streams and washed down every one of the cinders of Bhagiratha predecessors, and subsequently, Ganga Dusshera is praised as the day when the waterway plummeted from paradise to earth.

On the event of Ganga Dussehra or Dasar, the Ganga stream is loved for ten days. This is on account of as per mainstream legend, Ganga slid on earth as of now. She was at first hesitant to descend from paradise however the contemplation of Bhagiratha constrained her to do as such.

This is basically a showering celebration. Amid this period, individuals take a plunge in the blessed stream to purify themselves of every one of their transgressions. It is trusted that the unadulterated waters of the Ganges can wash off the entirety of your wrongdoings.

Individuals ruminate over the banks of the River Ganges. At night, lights are glided and reverential melodies are sung. The earth is brought home as is the sacred water.The water has capacity to bless devotee’s home.

Significance :

Ganga Dussehra is dedicated to Goddess Ganga, who descended to the Earth on this day. Ganga descended on Earth to purge the cursed souls of Bhagiratha's ancestors. Before coming to the Earth, the Goddess Ganga was residing in Kamandal of Lord Brahma. It is said that she brought the purity of heaven to the Earth along with her, making it a pious place.

Ganga Dussehra is observed by Hindus mainly in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and West Bengal, where the river flows. Haridwar, Varanasi, Garhmukteshwar, Rishikesh, Prayagraj, and Patna are the main locations of the celebrations, where devotees gather at the banks of the Ganges and perform aartis (a religious ritual in which a light lamp is moved clockwise circularly in front of a deity as a part of prayer) to the river. Taking a dip in the river on this day is believed to bring the devotee to a state of purification and also heal any physical ailments he may have. In Sanskrit, dasha means ten and hara means destroy; thus bathing in the river during these ten days is believed to rid the person of ten sins or, alternatively, ten lifetimes of sins.

On the same day, the river Yamuna is also worshipped and kite-flying events are organized. Devotees take a holy dip in the Yamuna at places like Mathura, Vrindavan, and Bateshwar, and give offerings of watermelon and cucumber. They distribute drinks such as lassi, sharbat and shikanji.

Ganga Dussehra at Haridwar :

The Ganga Dussehra is celebrated in Haridwar with a lot of excitement and vigor. On this, people from all over India and abroad visit here and to attain blessings from Goddess Ganga. People light up Diyas ( Earthern Pots) and take about 10 dips in the river to wash off their sins. Many other rituals are also followed.

In 2017, an estimated 15 lakh people celebrated the festival in Haridwar.  At the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi, several rituals such as deep daan (offering of floating diyas to the river) and maha aarti are conducted. In Patna, a grand aarti is performed in the evening by priests at Gandhi Ghat and an 1100m garland is offered to the river at Adalat Ghat.