Thousands celebrate Ganga Dussehra festival in UP

Thousands of devotees offered prayers to the River Ganges during the auspicious Ganga Dussehra festival.

By Amit Kumar

Faizabad (Uttar Pradesh), June 26 : Thousands of devotees offered prayers to the River Ganges during the auspicious 'Ganga Dussehra' festival.

Devotees gathered in large numbers on the banks of the Saryu River in Faizabad city to offer prayers on Monday.

Bathed in innumerable lighted lamps, the Saryu looked enchanting as people flocked to worship the Ganga. The river holds special significance for Hindus and they celebrate the day every year.

It is believed that this was the day when Bhagirathi, one of the tributaries of the Ganges, was born after Saint Bhagirath's penance.

According to mythology, King Bhagirath observed a severe penance to facilitate the descent of the Ganges to Earth to help his ancestors attain salvation.

Prayers on the banks of the Saryu River have been organised for several decades with much fanfare.

"We celebrate the birth of the Ganga River. It is on this day when Ganga left Lord Vishnu's abode and came onto the earth. Our organisation was established in 1904 and our forefathers have kept this tradition alive since then," said Barfi Maharaj, the organiser of the worship ceremony.

The devotees also believe that bathing in the Ganges on the occasion will facilitate make them attain salvation and liberate them from the cycle of birth and death.

Ganga Dussehra, held over the first ten days of the month of Jyeshtha (in June), celebrates Gangavataran, or the descent of the Ganga to earth.

During the festival, devotees flock to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Garh-Mukteshwar, Prayag, Varanasi to meditate and take a holy dip. They take the river clay home to worship.

ANI