When Is Ganga Dussehra 2025, 5th Or 6th June? Know Date, Snan Daan Muhurat and Puja Rituals
What is Ganga Dussehra and Why Is It Celebrated?
Ganga Dussehra, also known as Gangavataran, is a deeply revered Hindu festival that commemorates the descent of the holy River Ganga from heaven to earth. Celebrated with great devotion and spiritual fervor, the festival marks the celestial event when Mother Ganga descended to the earth to purify and liberate the souls of King Bhagirath’s ancestors.
According to Hindu mythology, King Bhagirath’s relentless penance moved the gods. Lord Shiva agreed to catch the powerful Ganga in his matted locks, thus reducing her mighty force and gently releasing her onto the earth. This divine act is celebrated as Ganga Dussehra, which literally means “the tenth day of Ganga”.
The festival symbolizes purification, liberation from sins, and the flow of divine grace into the lives of devotees.
When Is Ganga Dussehra in 2025: 5th or 6th June?
There is often confusion regarding the exact date due to overlapping lunar days and nakshatras. In 2025, Ganga Dussehra will be observed on Thursday, June 5, according to the Hindu calendar.
🗓️ Ganga Dussehra 2025 Date and Tithi Timings:
- Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
- Dashami Tithi Begins: June 4, 2025, at 8:24 PM
- Dashami Tithi Ends: June 5, 2025, at 10:45 PM
- Hasta Nakshatra Begins: June 5, 2025, at 12:05 AM
- Hasta Nakshatra Ends: June 6, 2025, at 3:04 AM
- Vyatipata Yoga Begins: June 5, 2025, at 5:44 AM
- Vyatipata Yoga Ends: June 6, 2025, at 6:43 AM
💡 Since the Dashami Tithi prevails during sunrise on June 5, the festival is celebrated on this day.
Significance of Ganga Dussehra
Ganga Dussehra is not just a celebration—it’s a sacred spiritual opportunity for purification and salvation.
Key Beliefs:
- Cleansing of Sins: It is believed that bathing in the Ganga on this day absolves a person of ten types of sins—three physical, four verbal, and three mental.
- Spiritual Awakening: The descent of Ganga symbolizes the infusion of divine consciousness into the material world.
- Promotion of Environmental Awareness: By venerating the river, the festival also emphasizes the protection of water bodies and natural ecosystems.
🕉️ Internal Linking Suggestion: Link to related article — [Why is Ganga Considered the Most Sacred River in Hinduism?]
Ganga Dussehra 2025: Puja Rituals and Traditions
The observances of Ganga Dussehra vary by region but are united in their devotion. Here’s how devotees typically celebrate:
1. Holy Dip (Snan)
- The most important ritual is a purifying bath in the Ganges, preferably during Brahma Muhurat (pre-dawn).
- For those who can’t travel, sprinkling Ganga jal at home is considered spiritually effective.
2. Puja and Aarti
- Offer flowers, lamps (diyas), and incense to the river while chanting Ganga Stotram or other sacred hymns.
- Evening aartis, especially at Haridwar, Varanasi, Rishikesh, and Prayagraj, are grand and deeply moving spiritual events.
3. Charity (Daan)
- Donating food, clothes, and money to the needy is encouraged, embodying compassion and spiritual merit.
4. Fasting
- Many devotees observe a fast throughout the day and break it after completing evening rituals.
🪔 Internal Linking Suggestion: Link to — [Top 10 Powerful Hindu Mantras for Spiritual Growth]
Major Celebrations Across India
Ganga Dussehra is celebrated across northern India, but the most prominent observances occur in cities situated along the River Ganga:
🌆 Key Locations:
- Varanasi (Kashi): Devotees gather at Dashashwamedh Ghat for evening aarti and cultural programs.
- Haridwar: Bathing ghats like Har Ki Pauri witness lakhs of pilgrims.
- Rishikesh: Known for peaceful yet spiritual ceremonies and satsangs.
- Prayagraj: The Triveni Sangam becomes a pilgrimage hotspot.
These locations witness mass participation, spiritual discourse, collective aartis, and devotional singing on this sacred day.
Environmental Relevance: Ganga and Sustainability
While Ganga Dussehra is deeply religious, it also reinforces the cultural reverence for rivers and water bodies. Celebrating the river’s divine status can act as a powerful reminder to preserve our natural water resources and prevent pollution.
Conclusion
Ganga Dussehra 2025, falling on Thursday, June 5, is more than just a festival—it’s a spiritual journey that reconnects devotees to the divine and the natural world. From the sacred dip in the Ganges to selfless acts of charity, every ritual is a step towards inner purification, peace, and dharma.
Participating in Ganga Dussehra is not only a path to spiritual elevation but also a commitment to ecological harmony and cultural continuity. Whether you’re at the ghats of Varanasi or at home with Ganga water, let this sacred occasion inspire compassion, cleanliness, and consciousness.
