The Hindu culture and mythology honors and worships these rivers as Goddesses who bless the populace with water, food and prosperity. The river Ganga is one of the holiest among all the rivers that grace India. River Ganga is represented by the Goddess Ganga who is a woman dressed in a white sari. She rides on a sea crocodile and wears a golden crown. In the three of her hands, she holds a white lily, a lute and a japamala. Goddess Ganga is believed to have originated from the sweat of lord Maha Vishnu's feet. This was then stored in Lord Brahma's Kamandal. It is also thought that Goddess Ganga is the daughter of Parvat Raj Himalaya, the King of mountains. This makes Goddess Ganga the sister of Goddess Parvati who is married to Lord Mahadev.
Ganga Saptmi, also called Ganga Jayanti or Ganga Pujan is celebrated by Hindus to please Goddess Ganga. This comes in the month of Vaisakha as per the Hindu calendar, i.e., in the month of April –May. It is believed that on the seventh day of Shukla Paksha, the holy river Ganga was reborn. This occasion is mainly celebrated near the river bed of the Ganga. The worshiper takes dip in its water, which is considered to be very auspicious. Thus, Ganga Saptami is considered as an occasion where river Ganga is worshipped with full devotion.
Story behind Ganga’s Birth-
In India, lot of dedication and devotion is shown to River Ganga. There are many stories about the magnificence and importance of Ganga ji in India. One of the legends says that Ganga ji is born due to sweat of God Vishnu’s feet; another legend says that Ganga Ji was born from the Kamandal of Lord Brahma.
One more famous story is there behind the origin of Ganga. According to that, when Bali was killed by Lord Vishnu, then Lord Brahma cleaned the feet of Lord Vishnu and stored the water in his kamandal. This water gave birth to Ganga. According to another story, a song was sung by Lord Shiva for Narad Muni, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. He started sweating and the sweat was stored by Lord Brahma in his kamandal. It is believed that Ganga Ji came out and was originated from that kamandal only.
Ganga Saptami is believed to provide the worshipers with lot of benefits. It is believed that all the sins of the past and present life are removed if one takes bath in the holy water of river Ganga on the occasion of Ganga Saptami. They are able to purify their souls by taking a bath in the holy water of Ganga that is believed to flow on the earth with the purity of heaven.This enables the worshipers to lead a healthy life full of happiness. Taking bath in the holy water of river Ganga on the auspicious occasion of Ganga Saptami fills the devotees with new and fresh energy that enable them to complete their tasks on time. This also enables them to earn profits in life and lead a happy and successful life.
Significance of Ganga Saptami
On Vaishakh Shukla or Saptami, Ganga Ji came from Swarg lok and reached God Shiva’s hair. As per the Shastras, this day is famous as Ganga Saptmi and Ganga Jayanti and on this day, Ganga reached earth. The day is also celebrated as Ganga Dushera. People worship Ganga Mata on this day and they take a bath in the holy water of the river. It is believed that taking bath in river Ganga on this day removes all sins of the past and givessalvation, happiness and fame to the devotees. Those people who have Mangal Dosh in their Kundli get benefited by worshiping Ganga Mata on this day. Several benefits are provided to the devotees on the occasion of Ganga Saptami. They receive the blessings of river Ganga by taking a dip in the holy water of the river. It is also believed that several diseases are also cured as the result of a dip in the water of river Ganga as itswater is having medicinal properties that areable to cure several health related ailments of the devotees.
There is one more famous story in Puranas which states that Ganga River came from the thumb of Lord Vishnu to bless the King Sagar’s sons. They were 60000 in number and were turned into ashes due to the curse of Kapil Muni. Bhagirath was the successor of King Sagar who brought Ganga to earth.That is why Ganga River is also called as Bhagirathi. The occasion of Ganga Saptami is also known with the name of Jahnu Saptami. It is believed in Haridwar and other regions that Goddess Ganga descended from heaven into the matted hairs of Lord Shiva and started flowing in the Himalayas on the occasion of Ganga Saptami.
There is also a legend behind the fact why Ganga Saptami is also termed as Jahnu Saptami. As per the legend, one day, river Ganga entered into the ashram of Saint Jahnu and because of her violence, the meditation of the saint was disturbed. This makes the saint very angry and in his anger, he drunk Ganga and then releases her from his ear. This story became famous and since then, this day is celebrated as Ganga Saptami or Jahnu Saptami.
Ritual On Ganga Saptami
As soon as one wakes up from sleep, you should take bath early in the morning, and recite the Ganga Namah with utter devotion. Then, he must proceed to take bath. It should be done early in the morning, during the Brahma Muhurat. Aarti is done in the temples or by the banks of the river Ganga. People usually worship Lord Shiva on this holy day too. Chant the following Mantra regularly to attain peace and Happiness.
Ganga Gayatri Mantra: Om bhageerthyae ch vidhmhe vishnupatnyae ch dhimhi | tanno ganga prachodyat
Donate items in 10 numbers. If you plan on donating flowers, make sure that they are 10 in number. Lamps, betel leaves and fruits are also donated, but they should be in 10 numbers. Sesame and barley seeds are also donated on this day. Offering food to 10 Brahmins is considered to be very holy. One should also remember to immerse oneself three times when taking a dip or a bath in the Holy river.
Ganga Saptmi, also called Ganga Jayanti or Ganga Pujan is celebrated by Hindus to please Goddess Ganga. This comes in the month of Vaisakha as per the Hindu calendar, i.e., in the month of April –May. It is believed that on the seventh day of Shukla Paksha, the holy river Ganga was reborn. This occasion is mainly celebrated near the river bed of the Ganga. The worshiper takes dip in its water, which is considered to be very auspicious. Thus, Ganga Saptami is considered as an occasion where river Ganga is worshipped with full devotion.
Story behind Ganga’s Birth-
In India, lot of dedication and devotion is shown to River Ganga. There are many stories about the magnificence and importance of Ganga ji in India. One of the legends says that Ganga ji is born due to sweat of God Vishnu’s feet; another legend says that Ganga Ji was born from the Kamandal of Lord Brahma.
One more famous story is there behind the origin of Ganga. According to that, when Bali was killed by Lord Vishnu, then Lord Brahma cleaned the feet of Lord Vishnu and stored the water in his kamandal. This water gave birth to Ganga. According to another story, a song was sung by Lord Shiva for Narad Muni, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. He started sweating and the sweat was stored by Lord Brahma in his kamandal. It is believed that Ganga Ji came out and was originated from that kamandal only.
Ganga Saptami is believed to provide the worshipers with lot of benefits. It is believed that all the sins of the past and present life are removed if one takes bath in the holy water of river Ganga on the occasion of Ganga Saptami. They are able to purify their souls by taking a bath in the holy water of Ganga that is believed to flow on the earth with the purity of heaven.This enables the worshipers to lead a healthy life full of happiness. Taking bath in the holy water of river Ganga on the auspicious occasion of Ganga Saptami fills the devotees with new and fresh energy that enable them to complete their tasks on time. This also enables them to earn profits in life and lead a happy and successful life.
Significance of Ganga Saptami
On Vaishakh Shukla or Saptami, Ganga Ji came from Swarg lok and reached God Shiva’s hair. As per the Shastras, this day is famous as Ganga Saptmi and Ganga Jayanti and on this day, Ganga reached earth. The day is also celebrated as Ganga Dushera. People worship Ganga Mata on this day and they take a bath in the holy water of the river. It is believed that taking bath in river Ganga on this day removes all sins of the past and givessalvation, happiness and fame to the devotees. Those people who have Mangal Dosh in their Kundli get benefited by worshiping Ganga Mata on this day. Several benefits are provided to the devotees on the occasion of Ganga Saptami. They receive the blessings of river Ganga by taking a dip in the holy water of the river. It is also believed that several diseases are also cured as the result of a dip in the water of river Ganga as itswater is having medicinal properties that areable to cure several health related ailments of the devotees.
There is one more famous story in Puranas which states that Ganga River came from the thumb of Lord Vishnu to bless the King Sagar’s sons. They were 60000 in number and were turned into ashes due to the curse of Kapil Muni. Bhagirath was the successor of King Sagar who brought Ganga to earth.That is why Ganga River is also called as Bhagirathi. The occasion of Ganga Saptami is also known with the name of Jahnu Saptami. It is believed in Haridwar and other regions that Goddess Ganga descended from heaven into the matted hairs of Lord Shiva and started flowing in the Himalayas on the occasion of Ganga Saptami.
There is also a legend behind the fact why Ganga Saptami is also termed as Jahnu Saptami. As per the legend, one day, river Ganga entered into the ashram of Saint Jahnu and because of her violence, the meditation of the saint was disturbed. This makes the saint very angry and in his anger, he drunk Ganga and then releases her from his ear. This story became famous and since then, this day is celebrated as Ganga Saptami or Jahnu Saptami.
Ritual On Ganga Saptami
As soon as one wakes up from sleep, you should take bath early in the morning, and recite the Ganga Namah with utter devotion. Then, he must proceed to take bath. It should be done early in the morning, during the Brahma Muhurat. Aarti is done in the temples or by the banks of the river Ganga. People usually worship Lord Shiva on this holy day too. Chant the following Mantra regularly to attain peace and Happiness.
Ganga Gayatri Mantra: Om bhageerthyae ch vidhmhe vishnupatnyae ch dhimhi | tanno ganga prachodyat
Donate items in 10 numbers. If you plan on donating flowers, make sure that they are 10 in number. Lamps, betel leaves and fruits are also donated, but they should be in 10 numbers. Sesame and barley seeds are also donated on this day. Offering food to 10 Brahmins is considered to be very holy. One should also remember to immerse oneself three times when taking a dip or a bath in the Holy river.
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