2nd May – the seventh day of Shukla Paksha in the
year 2017 – is the auspicious day of Ganga Saptami. But, what is Ganga Saptami,
why is it celebrated, and how? This blog will answer all your questions related
to this important occasion.
What is Ganga
Saptami?
Ganga Saptami is the day when the River Ganga was reborn on
Earth! It is the day dedicated to the holy river, who is considered as
‘Goddess’ Ganga throughout the country. It is celebrated on the seventh day of
Shukla Paksha of the Vaishakha month of the Hindu calendar.
What is the legend
behind Ganga Saptami?
As per Hindu mythology, the River Ganga was to be descended
on the Earth by Lord Brahma. However, the Lord said that the surge of the river
would be so powerful that the entire Earth would be destroyed. It was then that
the mighty Lord Shiva decided to lock the flowing river into his hair to break
Ganga’s descent and save the Earth from destruction. But, Maharaj Bhagirath
desired to bring the pious Ganga to the Earth to cleanse his ancestors’ souls,
for which he did a tapasya for
thousand years to please and convince Lord Shiva to let the river flow. Pleased,
Lord Shiva released the River Ganga from his head. However, on her way, the
river with her mighty flow and gushing turbulent water destroyed the Ashram of Sage Jahnu. Furious, the Sage
drank up all the water of the river. Maharaj Bhagirath and the Gods prayed to
the Sage to release Ganga so that she could accomplish the mission she had been
sent to achieve. Pleased with the prayers, Sage Jahnu released her from his
ear; and this day is thus known to be the rebirth of the River Ganga.
What rituals are
performed on Ganga Saptami?
On Ganga Saptami, devotees worship Goddess Ganga and take
bath in the river with the belief that it will rinse them of their past sins. People
also offer Puja on the ghats and
territories around the river. They perform the Ganga Puja with meditation and
chant mantras asking for forgiveness
for their sins and moksha for their
late ancestors. Along with the Ganga
Aarti, flower wreaths and diyas
are released into the River Ganga. Because the flow of River Ganga was
restricted to the Himalayas, but her tributaries broke out into various
territories, the auspicious occasion of Ganga Saptami is celebrated with great
pomp and joy in places where the river flows including Haridwar, Allahabad,
Prayag, Varanasi, and Rishikesh. Devotees come from all across the nation to
celebrate this occasion in such places. And those who cannot make it to any
such places bathe by mixing the pious Gangajal
into their water buckets.
For performing the right Pujas with the right rituals and
methods, you can always rely on MakeMyPuja Pandits to help you arrange for all
the requirements while also carrying out all the rituals in the most
appropriate manner. So, for any kind of Puja you want to perform throughout the
year for the best outcomes, remember MakeMyPuja!
Website: https://www.makemypuja.com/
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