As per the mythological beliefs, Goddess Ganga got pleased with the intense penance of King Bhagirath and decided to grace this mortal world with her presence. The day she got incarnated was the tenth day (dashami) of Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha. In order to celebrate her descent into this world, we celebrate this day as Ganga Dussehra every year. It is also believed that worshipping the Goddess on this day, and chanting the Ganga Stotra while standing in the river, washes away all sins of an individual.
When Is Ganga Dussehra Celebrated?
As discussed earlier, the tenth day of Shukla Paksha of the Jyeshtha month, as per the Hindu Panchang, is commemorated as Ganga Dussehra every year. The Skanda Purana states that along with bathing in the pious river (ganga snan), charity and meditation should also be done on this day. Doing good deeds today helps one cleanse all their sins.
Significance Of Ganga Dussehra
Hindus have called the Ganga, ‘Maa’, i.e., mother for centuries. Even today, every person has reverence for Maa Ganga, and devotees from every corner of India reach religious places like Haridwar, Banaras, Rishikesh, etc., on this occasion for Ganga Darshan. Moreover, it is believed that bathing in the pious river (Ganga snan) eradicates ten types of sins of a person. These include: four vocal, three corporeal, and three mental sins. Anyone who wishes to get rid of the same should do Ganga Snan on the day of Ganga Dussehra.
Ganga Dussehra Celebrations
Celebration of the festival of Ganga Dussehra is very significant for the devotees of Hindu religion. On this day, they worship Goddess Bhagirathi, and take dips in the holy river to cleanse their sins. Charity and donations are of great importance on this day too. Throngs of people are gathered at the banks of the holy Ganga. However, the Ganga Dussehra of Varanasi is given a higher preference because there, it is celebrated in a spectacular way. After the Ganga snan, one should do the Ganga aarti.
Puja Vidhi And Charity On Ganga Dussehra
- On this day, one takes a bath in the Ganga river.
- Those devotees who are unable to visit the banks of the Ganga should take a bath in a nearby pond, lake, or river while ruminating (meditating) about the goddess.
- Taking ten dips in Ganga or any river is considered auspicious.
- Afterwards, one should worship the Goddess, following the rituals properly according to Shodashopchar.
- Chant the following mantra during the veneration:
ऊँ नम: शिवायै नारायण्यै दशहरायै गंगायै नम: ।।
ūm̐ nama: śivāyai nārāyaṇyai daśaharāyai gaṃgāyai nama: ।।
- Thereafter, recite this mantra while offering five flowers to Goddess Ganga:
ऊँ नमो भगवते ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं हिलि हिलि मिलि मिलि गंगे मां पावय पावय स्वाहा।।
ūm̐ namo bhagavate aiṃ hrīṃ śrīṃ hili hili mili mili gaṃge māṃ pāvaya pāvaya svāhā।।
- It is said that King Bhagirath chanted this mantra while requesting Maa Ganga to take incarnation on Earth. Therefore, it is also known as the Name Mantra of Bhagirath.
- In addition to all this, all things present in the puja ingredients for worshipping Goddess Jahnvi should be ten in count, like ten types of flowers, ten naivedya, ten betel leaves, and ten types of fruits.
- Any devotee who wishes to make a donation or do charity should also do that of ten objects.
- If you are donating sesame and barley, then that should not be less than 16 fistfuls.
- Devotees who wish to make donations to Brahmins should remember that the number ten will be auspicious here as well.
Ganga Aarti
ॐ जय गंगे माता, मैया जय गंगे माता।
जो नर तुमको ध्याता, मनवांछित फल पाता।
ॐ जय गंगे माता, मैया जय गंगे माता।
चंद्र सी ज्योति तुम्हारी, जल निर्मल आता।
शरण पड़े जो तेरी, सो नर तर जाता।
ॐ जय गंगे माता, मैया जय गंगे माता।
पुत्र सगर के तारे, सब जग को ज्ञाता।
कृपा दृष्टि हो तुम्हारी, त्रिभुवन सुख दाता।
ॐ जय गंगे माता, मैया जय गंगे माता।
एक बार जो प्राणी, शरण तेरी आता।
यम की त्रास मिटाकर, परमगति पाता।
ॐ जय गंगे माता, मैया जय गंगे माता।
आरति मातु तुम्हारी, जो नर नित गाता।
सेवक वही सहज में, मुक्ति को पाता।
ॐ जय गंगे माता, मैया जय गंगे माता।
oṃ jaya gaṃge mātā, maiyā jaya gaṃge mātā।
jo nara tumako dhyātā, manavāṃchita phala pātā।
oṃ jaya gaṃge mātā, maiyā jaya gaṃge mātā।
caṃdra sī jyoti tumhārī, jala nirmala ātā।
śaraṇa paḍa़e jo terī, so nara tara jātā।
oṃ jaya gaṃge mātā, maiyā jaya gaṃge mātā।
putra sagara ke tāre, saba jaga ko jñātā।
kṛpā dṛṣṭi ho tumhārī, tribhuvana sukha dātā।
oṃ jaya gaṃge mātā, maiyā jaya gaṃge mātā।
eka bāra jo prāṇī, śaraṇa terī ātā।
yama kī trāsa miṭākara, paramagati pātā।
oṃ jaya gaṃge mātā, maiyā jaya gaṃge mātā।
ārati mātu tumhārī, jo nara nita gātā।
sevaka vahī sahaja meṃ, mukti ko pātā।
oṃ jaya gaṃge mātā, maiyā jaya gaṃge mātā।
Ganga Dussehra is considered to be a very auspicious day. Devotees of the Hindu religion portray their devotion towards Maa Ganga, who has been flowing in India since centuries. Wish you a very Happy Ganga Dussehra as well!
No comments:
Post a Comment