Ganga Dussehra

Maa Ganga (received by Lord Shiva in his matted locks)

Hindu

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Celebrates the descent of the holy river Ganga from the heavens to earth on Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami. Devotees take a sacred bath in the Ganga (or any river), offer prayers, and observe a fast. One of the most auspicious tithis in the Hindu calendar.

Dates 2026–2027

May 26, 2026June 14, 2027

Mantra

ॐ नमो गंगायै विश्वरूपिणि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते

Om Namo Gangayai Vishvarupini Narayani Namo'stu Te

Salutations to Maa Ganga — the universal form of the Divine, who washes away all sins.

How to recite

Bathe in the Ganga (or any river, or home water with Ganga jal added) at sunrise. Offer ten (dasha-vidha) items in tarpan — flowers, til, jaggery, sattu, lamps, akshat, durva. Recite the Ganga Stotra by Adi Shankaracharya. Donate sattu, jaggery, til, water-pots, and a hand-fan to brahmanas. Light a diya at the river ghat at sunset.

Benefits

Lord Shiva received Maa Ganga in his matted locks on this tithi, breaking her descent from the heavens through the tapasya of King Bhagiratha. Bathing in the Ganga on Ganga Dussehra is said to wash away ten (dasha) categories of sin — three of body, four of speech, and three of mind — hence the name Dasha-Papa-Hara.

✦ Special Note

Optional fast — many observers keep an Upvas (one-meal) or partial fast with fruit and milk. At Haridwar, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Rishikesh, lakhs of pilgrims gather for the Ganga snan at sunrise and the maha-aarti at sunset.

Foods Allowed

Fruits of all kinds, especially mango, watermelon, muskmelon, bananaSattu, jaggery, til (sesame), til-gur ladoo — traditional Ganga-dan offeringsMilk, curd, ghee, panchamritSabudana khichdi and kheerSugarcane juice and coconut waterSendha namak (rock salt) onlyLight khichdi of moong dal and rice for those observing partial fast

Foods to Avoid

Onion and garlicMeat, fish, eggs, alcoholRegular table saltHeavy, oily, or tamasic food on the snan day

Meal Idea

Sattu sherbet with lemon and roasted jeera for the morning naivedya; light moong-dal khichdi with ghee and curd for the noon bhog; til-gur ladoo and sugarcane juice after the evening Ganga-aarti at the ghat.

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