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bhagirathi-jayanthi

Bhagirathi Jayanthi

Bhagirathi Jayanthi is celebrated on Jyesta Shukla Dashami.  This is the day Ganga came down to Earth.  People across india perform Ganga Pooja on this day. Bhagirathi Jayanthi is a significant Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of the sacred river Ganga, often personified as the goddess Ganga. This day is dedicated to King Bhagirath, whose intense penance brought the river Ganga down from the heavens to earth, thereby granting salvation to his ancestors and purifying the land.

Significance

The festival commemorates the descent of the Ganga River to the Earth. It emphasizes the importance of the river in Hindu mythology and its role in cleansing sins and providing spiritual merit. The river Ganga holds a revered place in Hindu culture, and its waters are considered purifying and holy.

Mythological Background

The legend of King Bhagirath is central to the celebration. According to the mythology, King Bhagirath performed severe penance to please Lord Shiva and Goddess Ganga. His ancestors, the sons of King Sagara, were burnt to ashes due to a curse and could only attain salvation if their ashes were washed by the sacred waters of the Ganga. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Shiva allowed Ganga to flow down to Earth and tamed her mighty descent by capturing her in his matted hair and releasing her gently.

Rituals and Practices

  1. Bathing in the Ganga: Devotees take a holy dip in the Ganga river or any of its tributaries. It is believed that bathing in the Ganga on this day cleanses all sins.
  2. Puja and Offerings: Special pujas and rituals are performed on the riverbanks. Offerings of flowers, fruits, milk, and sweets are made to the river.
  3. Chanting and Prayers: Devotees chant hymns and prayers dedicated to Goddess Ganga and recite the Ganga Stotra.
  4. Lighting Lamps: Floating lamps (diyas) on the river are a common sight, symbolizing the light of wisdom and devotion.
  5. Charity and Donations: Acts of charity and donations to the poor and needy are considered auspicious on this day.

Observance Date

Bhagirathi Jayanthi is observed on the seventh day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Jyeshtha, according to the Hindu calendar. This usually falls in May or June.

Celebrations

The festival is marked with grandeur in regions through which the Ganga flows, especially in places like Haridwar, Varanasi, and Prayagraj (Allahabad). Special events, fairs, and cultural programs are organized to celebrate the descent of the holy river.

Regional Importance

While Bhagirathi Jayanthi is particularly significant in North India due to the geographical presence of the Ganga, it is also celebrated in other parts of India, where devotees pay homage to the river's divine origin and its importance in Hindu dharma.

Bhagirathi Jayanthi serves as a reminder of the deep spiritual and cultural connection Hindus have with the Ganga River, celebrating its divine origins and the blessings it bestows upon the land and its people.

 

Category Other Rituals
month Jyesta
paksha Shukla
tithi Dashami
Nakshatra
yogha

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