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May 31, 2012 | Hindus celebrate Ganga Dusshera festival in Varanasi |
Varanasi: Thousands of Hindu devotees converged
on the banks of River Ganga in Varanasi on Thursday to celebrate the Ganga Dussehra
festival which marks the day when the Goddess Ganga descended on earth through
the locks of Lord Shiva. Mahant Brijmohan Das, a priest, said: "Today, is the
festive occasion of Ganga Dussehra. Today only, Mother Ganga descended from the
'jata' (locks) of Lord Shiva to come down to earth. The Ganga flows in a north
direction in 'Kashi' (ancient name of Varanasi city). This is why, in Kashi, this
day is significant. Those devotees, who took a holy dip in Ganga River , will
get rid of all their sins." Priests performed traditional Hindu rituals and chanted
hymns on the banks of the river. Women and girls offered prayers for the well
being of their families. "This festival holds importance for the people. It's
a grand and fortunate 'aarti' (a religious ritual of worship). This 'aarti' holds
significance for the girls," said Meenakshi Upadhyay, a devotee. Thousands of
devotees assembled on banks from the crack of the dawn to take a holy dip and
sought the blessings of the Goddess Ganga to get rid of their sins. A social organization
called the Ganga Sewa Nidhi organised an environment awareness programme with
an aim to save the River Ganga. Legend says that the Ganges was gifted to mankind
in answer to the penance undertaken by King Bhagirath, of the legendary Sagara
dynasty. Bhagirath prayed for the Ganges to descend onto the Earth to wash the
ashes of his dead brothers to give them salvation. The Ganga is also called Bhagirathi
after the king. The Ganga is the most sacred river of the Hindus and act as the
lifeline to millions of people who live along its banks.
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