गंगा दशहरा
Ganga Dussehra
The day the Ganga descended from heaven to earth, celebrated with a holy dip and aarti on the ghats.
About Ganga Dussehra
Ganga Dussehra falls on Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami. It celebrates Goddess Ganga coming down to earth, brought by King Bhagirath's penance and caught by Shiva in his locks.
A dip in the Ganga on this day is believed to wash away ten kinds of sins. Haridwar, Rishikesh, Prayagraj and Varanasi hold grand aartis, and devotees float diyas on the river.
How to celebrate
Take a holy dip in the Ganga or add Ganga jal to your bath.
Offer ten of each offering: flowers, diyas, fruits or sesame.
Attend or watch the evening Ganga aarti.
Donate water, fans and food in the summer heat.
Questions
When is Ganga Dussehra in 2026?
Ganga Dussehra 2026 is on Monday, 25 May 2026. Shukla Dashami tithi begins at 4:30 AM on Monday 25 May and ends at 5:11 AM on Tuesday 26 May IST.
Why is it called Dussehra?
Dasha means ten. The bath on this Dashami is believed to remove ten sins of body, speech and mind.
Is Ganga Dussehra the same as Dussehra in autumn?
No. Ganga Dussehra is in Jyeshtha, in May or June. Vijayadashami, the Dussehra of Rama's victory, is in Ashwina.
Around Ganga Dussehra
Coming up
- Karva ChauthThu 29 Oct
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
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