Ganga Dassehra on Ganga Ghats.

Celebrating the reincarnation of River Ganga on Earth is Ganga Dassehra which is celebrated on the first 10 days of the ‘Jyeshtha’ month which falls in the months of May-June. According to Hindu Mythology, Goddess Ganga descending on earth is a festival that is observed as ‘Ganga Dassehra’, ‘Ganga Saptami’ and ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ in different parts of India.

Upon performing intense austerities by King Bhagirath, Goddess Ganga descended onto earth in the form of River Ganga in order to relieve the sins of King Bhagirath’s family. Since then it is a strong belief among Hindus that in order to cleanse oneself of his sins he would have to take a Holy-dip in River Ganga each year especially on Ganga Dassehra.

During these 10 days, River Ganga is venerated by the Hindus as Goddess Ganga through numerous pujas, prayers, rituals and ceremonies. The ‘Aarti of River Ganga’ performed by the Haridwar Priests at twilight while standing on the steps of the Ganga Ghats – few inches away from the ever-flowing humungous river Ganga – is a fascinating sight which is captured by millions of cameras on those days. Lord Shiva is worshipped with special emphasis on these 10 days. On all these 10 days, River Ganga is offered sweets and flowers and small flames in leaf-boats are set afloat on the fast-flowing river with ringing of bells and chanting of ‘shlokas’, ‘kirtans’ and ‘bhajans’. It’s one of the most amazing devotional experiences ever!

Places which are located along the banks of River Ganga such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Varanasi, Garh-Mukteswar, Prayag, Kanpur etc. are thronged by millions of Hindus and devotees of River Ganga to pay respects to the River as well as to take a Holy Dip in the River and perform puja on all 10 days.

On the days of Ganga Dassehra, it is believed to be a blessing and rewarding to give alms to the needy so all the Hindus who participate in the festival at the River Ganga at various places also do charity.

Facts about the Gigantic River Ganga:

1.    River Ganga originates in the Himalayas in Indian State of Uttarakhand at the confluence of River Bhagirathi and River Alaknanda and flows through India and Bangladesh. Gangotri Glacier is the point of origin of River Ganga. In Bangladesh, River Ganga is called River Padma.

2.    River Ganga is 2525 kms long from the Himalayas right upto the Bay of Bengal where it drains into the sea.

3.    Based on the ‘Volume-Rate’ of the water flow (discharge), River Gangs ranks among the Top 20 rivers in the world.

4.    400 million people inhabit the Ganga River basin (along its route) which makes it the highest populated river basin in the world.

5.    The first mention of River Ganga was in the Late Harappan period in the 2^nd Millennium BC. The first official mention of River Ganga was made in the ancient Hindu scriptures – the Vedas dating back to 1500 BC. The first foreigner to have recorded River Ganga is the Greek Ethnographer – Megasthenes (in his book called ‘Indica’) who visited India during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya before 298 BC.

6.    According to Hindu Mythology, Goddess Ganga, who is a consort to all three Hindu deities – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva descends to earth in the reincarnation of River Ganga in order to purify and cleanse of sins of all those who take a Holy Dip in this river. Hindu river-pilgrimage and river-worship began with worshipping River Ganga in India. The ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ is probably the biggest gathering of people in the world as in 2001 approximately 60 million people (of which 1 million people from outside of India) had gathered at Allahabad to worship River Ganga!

Pix courtesy: Wikipedia, Zeenews, Haridwarkumbhmela, Shunya, Geolt12.wordpress, Goldntriangleindiatours.

Magh Mela…Holy Dips in Sangam on Makar Sankranti

In India, most of the festivals and holy fairs (melas) are celebrated in accordance with the traditional Hindu calendar. One such religious affair, organized at the time of Makar Sankranti in January, is Magh Mela, also known as Mini Kumbh Mela. This year, as per the traditional Hindu calendar, the Magh Mela 2012 starts from January 9 and ends on February 20, 2012.

Magh Mela, one of the greatest annual religious fairs for Hindus, is organized every year during the month of Magh; hence the name. The Magh month as per the Georgian Calendar, corresponds to the duration of around one month, which is from mid January to mid February. The Hindu Mythology considers the origin of Magh Mela as the beginning of the Universe.

Every year, this Mela is held on the banks of Triveni Sangam (divine confluence of three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati), in Prayag near Allahabad in North India state of Uttar Pradesh. During the Magh Mela, Devotees throng this holy place to perform religious activities as well as to take holy dip in Sangam on auspicious dates. Magh Mela is not confined only to the month of Magh but also the important bathing dates are spread over a period of nearly 45 days. This year, the first bathing date is on the occasion of Paush Purnima, which is January 9, 2012. The other auspicious bathing dates are 14th January (Maker Sankranti), 19th January (Shattil Ekadashi), 23rd January (Mauni Amavasya), 28th January (Basant Panchami), 30th January (Achala Saptami or Rath Saptami), 7th February (Maghi Purnima) and 20th February (Maha Shivratri). The closing day of the Mela as considered by the Mela Administration, in on the last bathing day, i.e., on a holy day of Maha Shivratri.

During Magh Mela, lots of people from far and nearby places come to this place and stay in temporarily made houses or tents at the Sangam and spend the entire month of Magh in prayers, known as "Kalpvas". And these people are called as “Kalpvasi”.

"Kalp", as per the ancient Hindu Vedas, relates to be the time equal to the total number of years in the four Yugas - Satyug, Tretayug, Dwaparyug and Kalyug which adds up to several millions of years. It is believed that by accomplishing a "Kalpvas", a devotee can overcome their past sinful activities and can live a disease free life ahead. In Kalpvas, Kalpvasis has to take a dip at the Ganges and pray to the rising sun. Sometimes Kalpvasis take meals only for single time in a day. It is said that a Kalpvasi has to do "Shayya Daan" which means he/she has to donate his/her bed and all other belongings after observing 12 Kalpvas.

During Magh Mela, the special arrangements to provide better facilities to devotees such as developing township of tents, medical, security arrangements by local police, lost and found camps etc. are made on the banks of Sangam by the Uttar Pradesh State Government. For transport local buses, auto rickshaws and taxies are available to let the pilgrims have their journey smooth and peaceful without any trouble. Also one can see small shops of food items, clothes etc. for the basic needs of the devotees.

After every twelfth year, this Magh Mela is transformed into a grant event, the Kumbha Mela. Next year in 2013, Allahabad Prayag Sangam will host this Maha Kumbh Mela in the months of January and February.

Not only Allahabad of Uttar Pradesh but Uttarkashi of Uttarakhand also organizes Magh Mela on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Here the people and pilgrims from all over the country bring along their village deity to take a dip in the holy river Bhagirathi. This Mela is arranged at the local Ramlila ground and it goes on for a week. People from all around the district as well as from other far and nearby places come to perform religious activities. One can also enjoy Exhibition of different Government departments in this fair at Uttarkashi.