Ganga Saptami is an auspicious day for Hindus that is celebrated in honour of Goddess Ganga. It is also popularly known as ‘Ganga Jayanti’ or ‘Ganga Pujan’ as according to the Hindu legends it is believed that Goddess Ganga took rebirth on this day. Ganga Saptami is observed on the ‘saptami’ (7th day) of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) during the month of ‘Vaishakha’ or ‘Baisakh’. On Ganga Saptami in most of the Hindu pilgrimage places where River Ganga passes, like Triveni Sangam in Allahabad and Rishikesh, special pujas and prayers are offered by devotees. It is celebrated with full enthusiasm and fervour in the northern states of India.
Rituals during Ganga Saptami:
On the day of Ganga Saptami, devotees get up before sunrise and take a dip in the holy Ganges. Worshipping Goddess Ganga is supposed to be very auspicious on this day. They float garland across River Ganga and perform the famous ‘Ganga Aarti’. The preparation for ‘Ganga Aarti’ is made at several Ghats and thousands of devotees from different parts of the country participate in this event. On Ganga Saptami, the ceremony of ‘deepadan’ that is donating a ‘deep’ is very fortunate. Ganga is considered to be a ‘devi’ or Goddess in Hindu religion; therefore devotees worship Her with complete dedication and devotion to be bestowed with happiness, fame and salvation. Huge fairs are also organized near the banks of River Ganga on the day of Ganga Saptami. Reciting ‘Ganga Sahasranam Strotram’ and ‘Gayatri Mantra’ is considered to be very propitious on this day.
