Ganga Dussehra (Ramanandi)

Maa Ganga — descended from Vishnu's lotus feet, who is Sri Ram

Ramanandi

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Ganga Dussehra — the tenth day of Jyeshtha Shukla — marks the descent of Maa Ganga to earth through King Bhagiratha's penance. For Ramanandis, this is also Sarayu-avataran day, since the Sarayu at Ayodhya is held to be Ganga's elder sister and equally sacred.

Dates 2026–2027

May 25, 2026June 13, 2027

Mantra

ॐ नमो गंगायै विश्वरूपिणि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते

Om Namo Gangayai Vishvarupini Narayani Namo'stu Te

Salutations to Maa Ganga — the universal form of Narayana, who flows from the lotus feet of Sri Ram (Vishnu).

How to recite

Bathe in the Sarayu at Ayodhya (or any sacred river, or home water with Ganga jal added) at sunrise. Offer 10 (dasha-vidha) items in tarpan — flowers, til, jaggery, sattu, lamps, akshat, etc. Recite the Ganga Stotra by Adi Shankaracharya. Donate sattu, jaggery, til, and water-pots to brahmanas. The Ramanandis hold Sarayu and Ganga as one and the same — both flow from Sri Ram's lotus feet.

Benefits

Ganga Dussehra commemorates the day Maa Ganga descended from Vishnu's feet to earth through the tapasya of Bhagiratha — King Bhagiratha being a direct ancestor of Sri Ram (Suryavansha). For Ramanandis, this is Sarayu Avataran day at Ayodhya — the river that bathes the Ram-janma-bhumi is itself a stream of Sri Ram's grace. Bathing today removes ten (dasha) categories of sin.

✦ Special Note

At Ayodhya, lakhs of Ramanandi sadhus and grihasthas perform Sarayu snan at sunrise. The Sarayu's Lakshman Ghat sees the largest aarti of the year on this evening, with thousands of diyas floated downstream. Dates per the standard Vikram Samvat Panchang (Purnimanta system — month boundary at Purnima), Ayodhya/Varanasi convention; same underlying calendar as Hindu general, Purnimanta month naming.

Foods Allowed

Sattu, jaggery, til, and til-gur ladoo — traditional Ganga-dan offeringsSabudana khichdi and kheerWatermelon, muskmelon, mango, banana, sugarcane juiceMilk, curd, ghee, panchamritKhichdi of moong dal and rice (light, satvik)Charanamrita and tulsi from the Ram darbarSendha namak preferred

Foods to Avoid

Onion, garlic, brinjal — alwaysMeat, fish, eggs, alcoholHeavy or oily food on the snan day

Meal Idea

Sattu sherbet and watermelon for the morning naivedya; light khichdi with ghee and dahi for the noon bhog; til-gur ladoo and sugarcane juice in the evening after the Ganga-aarti at the river ghat.

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