Ganga Saptami 2026 – Date, Puja Vidhi, Significance & Rituals
Ganga Saptami, also known
as Ganga Jayanti or Jahnu Saptami, marks the divine rebirth of
Goddess Ganga. This sacred Hindu festival falls on the seventh day (Saptami)
of Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishakha and holds immense spiritual
significance. In 2026, Ganga Saptami will be observed on April 23.
Celebrated with great
devotion, the day symbolizes purification, salvation, and divine blessings.
Pilgrimage sites like Triveni Sangam (Prayagraj), Haridwar, Rishikesh, and
Varanasi come alive with grand festivities, attracting thousands of
devotees eager to participate in sacred rituals.
Legend and Significance
Ganga Saptami’s origins
lie in Hindu mythology and are mentioned in revered scriptures like the Padma
Purana, Brahma Purana, and Narada Purana.
According to legend, King
Bhagiratha’s intense penance brought Goddess Ganga to Earth to purify the
souls of his ancestors. However, during her descent, Sage Jahnu drank up
the river’s waters, disturbed by her forceful arrival. On the pleas of King
Bhagiratha and the gods, Jahnu released Ganga through his ear, symbolizing her
rebirth. Thus, she earned the name Jahnavi, meaning the daughter of
Jahnu.
This moment of release is
commemorated as Ganga Saptami, emphasizing the purifying power of the river
and her divine grace.
Rituals and Celebrations
On Ganga Saptami,
devotees wake before sunrise and follow various sacred practices:
Holy Dip in the Ganges
The day begins with a ritualistic
bath in the river, believed to cleanse one’s sins and bestow prosperity.
Pilgrimage sites like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi witness massive
gatherings as devotees take the holy dip at dawn.
Worship and Offerings
Devotees offer prayers, light
diyas (Deepadan), and float floral garlands across the river, seeking
divine blessings. Reciting Ganga Sahasranam Strotram and the Gayatri
Mantra is considered highly auspicious.
Ganga Aarti – The
Grand Tribute
One of the most
mesmerizing sights of Ganga Saptami is the Ganga Aarti, performed at
various ghats, including the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat (Varanasi) and Har Ki
Pauri (Haridwar). Priests dressed in traditional attire chant hymns as they
wave large brass lamps in reverence to Goddess Ganga.
Fairs and Cultural
Events
The celebrations are
accompanied by large fairs and spiritual discourses near Ganga’s banks.
Pilgrims from different parts of India gather to participate in the
festivities.
Astrological and
Spiritual Importance
Astrologers believe that
individuals under the influence of Mangal (Mars) should worship Goddess
Ganga on this day to mitigate challenges. Many devotees also perform Tarpan
(water offerings for ancestors), reinforcing the belief that Ganga
grants salvation to departed souls.
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