Bhagirathi Jayanti
Bhagirathi Jayanti is believed to be the day when River Bhagirathi appeared on earth. It is observed in the Jyeshta month. It is believed that King Bhaigratha succeeded in bringing Ganga down to earth on the day after a long penance. Bhagirathi is a source stream of Holy River Ganga.
The word ‘Bhagirathi’ in Sanskrit literally means caused by Bhagiratha. It refers to King Bhagiratha to gain Moksha or liberation for his 60,000 great-uncles from the curse of saint Kapila, brought the Goddess Ganga in the form of the river Ganges, from the heavens to the earth.
Bhagirathi Jayanti is observed on the Ganga Dashara day and both celebrate the origin of Ganga River on earth. It is observed on the 10th day during the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in Jyeshta month.
Story of King Bhagiratha bringing River Ganga from Heaven to Earth
As per Hindu tradition, it was King Bhagiratha’s austerities and desire to free the souls of his ancestors that brought Holy River Ganga from heaven to earth. One of the most important reasons why many people want to be cremated on the banks of Holy Ganga and want their ashes to be immersed in Ganga is that they will attain Moksha or liberation from cycle of birth and death.
The story of King Bhagiratha is found in couple of Puranas, this is the one mentioned in the Narada Purana. Emperor Sagara had two wives – Keshini and Sumati. They were once offered two boons by Sage Aurva – first – an intelligent and pious son who will one day become a great king – second boon – sixty thousands sons.
The sixty thousands sons of Sumati created numerous troubles for the emperor. Indra and other devas, saints and human beings were fed up with the troubles created by the sons.
Indra then approached Sage Kapila to find a solution. Sage Kapila to divert the attention of the sixty thousands sons in matters of kingdom, asked the king to perform an Ashwamedha Yaga.
In an Ashwamedha Yaga, the emperor releases a horse which travels through different kingdoms. Those kings who are ready to be a vassal of the emperor do not object the horse running through their kingdom. But those kings that are not ready to be a vassal stop the horse and then the issue is settled on the battleground.
When the unruly sons discovered horse near Sage Kapila, they thought the saint had stolen it and started abusing and hitting him. Sage Kapila’s meditation was disturbed and the angry saint opened his eyes – reducing the sixty thousand sons into ashes. This spot is believed to the place were Ganga Sagar Mela is held annually – South of Kolkata – were Ganga merges with the Bay of Bengal.
Grandson of emperor Sagara reached the spot and prayed for forgiveness to Sage Kapila. The sage could not bring back the sons back but he said that they will attain Moksha when in future King Bhagiratha of the lineage will bring Ganga down from heaven to earth.
After several generations, Bhagiratha was born in the family and he performed great austerities and impressed Brahma and Shiva.
Ganga descended from heaven and Lord Shiva held Her in his matted locks so that the power of Goddess does not destroy the earth. She then traveled to earth purifying all that she touched.
Ganga Dashara Festival – Ganga Dasara
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| Ganga Aarti offered during Ganga Dashara at the Dashashwamedh Ghat,Varanasi |
Ganga Dasara, also known as Maa Ganga Dashara, is a 10-day festival dedicated to Goddess Ganga (River Ganga or Ganges). In 2013, Ganga Dashara festival date is from June 9 to June 18. The festival is celebrated during the first ten days of the Jyeshta Month (May – June) – the first 10 days during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).
It is believed that Goddess Ganga touched the earth on the 10th day of the Shukla Paksha of Jyeshta (June 18, 2013). Legend has it that King Bhagirath performed intense austerities to bring down Ganga on to earth so that his ancestors are relieved of their sins. Finally, Ganga descended from heaven and Lord Shiva held Her in his matted locks so that the power of Goddess does not destroy the earth. She then traveled to earth purifying all that she touched.
The day of the celebration, Ganga Dashahara brings throngs of bathers to the banks of the river. A soak in the Ganges on this day is said to rid the bather of ten sins (dasha = Sanskrit "ten"; hara = to destroy) or alternatively, ten lifetimes of sins. Those who cannot journey to the river, however, can achieve the same results by bathing in any nearby body of water, which, for the true believer, in the Hindu tradition, takes on all the attributes of the Ganges
Numerous ceremonies are held on the occasion including pujas, prayers and other rituals. In recent years, with human greed destroying and polluting Ganga, there are special meetings and padyatras held on the occasion to highlight the importance of Ganga and the need to protect it.
It must be noted that the day Ganga descended on earth is observed differently in different regions. In some regions it is observed as Ganga Saptami and in some regions on the Akshaya Tritiya day.
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