GANGA AVATARAN: A Festival of Purity

India has always been acknowledged as the ‘Land of Festivals’. Festivals are a true reflection of its rich cultural heritage. India is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. The beauty of our country’s culture lies in the fact that almost every month of the year one or more festival is celebrated in some part of the country. The months of Hindu calendar are Chaitra, Baisakh, Jyeshtha, Aashad, Shravan, Bhadrapad, Ashwin, Kartik, Margshisha, Paush, Magha and Phalgun in order of occurrence. Each month is further divided into two fortnights called the ‘Paksha’ according to the waxing and waning movement of the moon. The waxing phase of the moon is known as the ‘Shukla Paksha’, which is the fifteen day period starting the day after the New Moon. It is a symbol of growth, positivity and new beginnings. The waning moon period is known as the ‘Krishna Paksha’, which is a fifteen day period starting after the full moon. This period is considered good for introspection, spiritual reflection and inner refinement. Ganga Avataran, also known as Ganga Dussehra is a festival celebrating the descent of the holy river Ganga from heaven to earth. It falls on the tenth day (Dashmi) of the waxing moon (Shukla paksha) in the month of May - June (Jyeshtha).

According to Hindu mythology, the holy river Ganga descended on earth due to the intense penance of King Bhagiratha of Ikshvaku dynasty. There is a myth behind it. In ancient past, King Sagar performed the Ashwamedha Yagna and released a horse named Shyam Karna. But it was stolen by Devraj Indra who hid it in the ashram of Sage Kapil Muni. The sage was absorbed in deep meditation. King Sagar, who had sixty thousand sons as a blessing of Lord Shiva, sent them all to find the horse. They dug deep into the earth in Kapil Muni’s ashram where the horse was tied. On finding it there they falsely accused the sage and spoke harsh words to him. Kapil Muni, who was in deep meditation, eventually got disturbed and very angry. He opened his eyes towards the accusing princes and his burning gaze reduced them to ashes. King Sagar was horrified to learn about this tragedy. He immediately sent his grandson Anshuman to plead to Kapil Muni to undo the curse. The sage’s heart melted due to his persistence request and he advised him to bring down the water of Ganga from heaven as only that could redeem his ancestors. But King Sagar’s kin failed in the task of bringing Ganga to earth. After two generations, King Bhagiratha performed severe penance and his unwavering determination succeeded in bringing Goddess Ganga on the earth. To prevent the earth from being destroyed by the massive force of Ganga, Lord Shiva caught her in his matted hair and later released her gently. Thus Ganga descended on the earth to purify the souls of King Bhagiratha’s ancestors. The descent of Ganga is celebrated as Ganga-Avataran or Ganga Dussehra or Jeth Ka Dussehra.

Mount Kailash in the Himalayas, the celestial abode of Lord Shiva is the origin point of Ganga from where it flows to the Gantotri glacier at Gaumukh in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand. Initially named as Bhagirathi, it becomes Ganga at Devprayag on her confluence with Alaknanda. It flows through many states like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal and falls ultimately into the Bay of Bengal. Ganga is close to everyone’s heart because it's not merely a life giving source that sustains agriculture and civilization, but is a celestial force that nurtures and guides humanity towards spiritual liberation. The religious festival of Ganga Avataran or Ganga Dussehra is of immense spiritual significance and is celebrated for ten days.

The festival attracts a lot of pilgrims to take a holy dip in Ganga in various cities where it flows. e.g. Haridwar, Rishikesh, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Patna, Garh Mukteshwar, Kolkata etc. Millions of devotees bathe in Ganga as it is a common belief that it brings peace to the ancestors, fulfills the desires, and leads to purification of sins. Rituals like offering diyas, flowers and incense to Maa Ganga are performed. The celebration also includes chanting of shlokas and stotras and observation of fast or vrat by some people. People also carry Ganga water commonly known as Gangajal to their homes as a symbol of purity. Ganga is worshipped as a mother and Goddess of purity and forgiveness. In the evening Aartis are performed on the banks of river Ganga. They are a great source of energy and devotion.

Looking at the philosophical aspect of Ganga Avataran, one can see that faith, devotion and firm determination can make even seemingly impossible task possible as in the case of King Bhaghirath. River Ganga, adorning the head of Lord Shiva represents the union of divine compassion and power. Together, they embody the cosmic power. The gentle release of the pure energy of Ganga by Lord Shiva implies that divine energy becomes a blessing only when it is guided by wisdom. The grace of Ganga Avataran awakens the soul. It makes one realize that pure energy is indomitable. The sacred river Ganga is a divine blessing for all as it brings compassion, spirituality and inner peace for human beings.

Purity is the abode of God and a pure heart acts like a magnet for divine love. Sant Kabir, the Indian devotional mystic poet and saint was born in Varanasi, the city on the banks of river Ganga. Enchanted by the purity of Ganga he created the couplet ~

Kabira Mann Nirmal Bhaya, Jaise Ganga Neer Pachhe Pachhe Hari Phiren, Kahat Kabir Kabir

This couplet suggests that God is drawn towards a person with a pure heart. Goddess Ganga gives us a timeless lesson on the power of inner enlightenment. We, as Indians proudly say ~

Hum uss desh ke waasi hain, jis desh mein Ganga behti hai