Ganga Dussehra is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in honour of Goddess Ganga, the sacred river we worship as the river Ganges. On June 5, 2025 this holy celebration will be celebrated by the hindus. Some devotees also know this festival as Gangavataran, which means “the divine descent of Ganga to earth”.
Ganga Dussehra takes place at the time when the divine river descended from heaven to bless mankind with spiritual purification.
Ganga Dussehra 2025: Date and Auspicious Timings
Ganga Dussehra 2025 : Thursday, June 5, 2025
Dashami Tithi
Also Read: Varuthini Ekadashi 2025: Date, Vrat Katha, Rituals & Spiritual Significance
- Begins: 11:54 PM on June 4
- Ends : 2:15 AM on June 6
Hasta Nakshatra
- Begins: 3:35 AM on June 5
- Ends: 6:34 AM on June 6
Vyatipata Yoga
- Begins: 9:14 AM on June 5
- Ends: 10:13 AM on June 6
Optimal Time for Sacred Bath: Dawn hours during sunrise
Note: This holy day happens right before another important Hindu festival called Nirjala Ekadashi.
Ganga Dussehra Puja Vidhi and Rituals
- Wake up early and take a clean bath at home
- Wear fresh, neat & clean clothes (white or yellow colors are best)
- Collect things like flowers, fruits, and sweets to offer.
- Go to the nearest river or ghat (steps by the water)
- Enter the holy water slowly with respect
- Take three dips in the sacred river
- Say prayers or sing Ganga songs while bathing
- Float flowers and light small oil lamps on the water
- Give charity to poor people (this is called Dan-Punya)
Significance of Gangavataran
Long time ago, there was a king named Bhagiratha. His family members were punished by the gods because of the wrong things they had done. To help his family, King Bhagiratha prayed very hard and did tough spiritual practices to bring the holy river Ganga down to Earth from heaven.
Goddess Ganga was living peacefully in Lord Brahma’s Kamandal (Water pot) in heaven. But She felt sorry for the king and agreed to come down to Earth from Lord Brahma’s Kamandal because her pure waters would wash away the sins of the King family and help their souls to find peace.
Millions of people & devotees visit these locations during the festival:
- Varanasi: Famous evening prayers at the well-known Dasaswamedh Ghat
- Haridwar: A divine city where large groups gather to worship river Ganga
- Rishikesh: A peaceful city for meditation and spiritual growth
- Prayagraj: A sacred spot where 3 rivers—the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati—come together
- Garhmukteshwar: A quiet riverside place for peaceful prayer
Ganga Dussehra (Gangavataran) celebrates divine descent from heaven and Ganga Jayanti honors the birth manifestation of river Goddess.
All of these different celebrations pay respect to different aspects of our beloved divine mother!
