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Devotees
Take Holy Dip on Ganga Dussehra
VARANASI: People from all parts of India converged on the bathing
ghats in Varanasi to take a holy dip in the Ganges on the occasion of
'Ganga Dussehra'. It is believed that the Bhagirathi, which is one of
the tributaries of the Ganges, was born on this day after saint Bhagirath's
penance.
Mythology has it that Bhagirath held a severe penance to bring the holy waters of the Ganges on to the earth to help his ancestors attain salvation. Devouts believe that bathing in the Ganges on the occasion will help them attain salvation and will liberate them from the wheel of birth and death. "On this day, the river Ganges descended from the heaven to earth. If one offers prayers today, one attains salvation from ten sins ... so it is called Ganga Dussehra (Ganges that frees from ten sins). This is a traditional ritual going on since time immemorial. We all believe in this. So we are praying here," said Ramachandra Shastri, a devotee. The devouts also recited verses from the holy epics on the occasion. The festival's name Dussehra is derived from 'Dus' which connotes ten and ' hara' which means defeat. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is a major pilgrimage centre for the Hindus. -ANI |
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