Ganga Saptami 2023 Date, Time, Rituals, and Importance
Ganga Saptami is thought to be the day that the Ganga River descended to Earth. The date of Ganga Saptami in 2023 is April 27. Some academics refer to it as the birthday or anniversary of the birth of Goddess Ganga. Additionally known as Jahnu Saptami on this day. Ganga descended to earth on the seventh day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) of the Vaisakha month, according to several Hindu texts. This is a significant holiday for numerous spiritual organizations. On this day, special pujas and rituals are performed for the goddess Ganga.
Hindus revere the Ganges as the goddess Ganga. This river holds significant spiritual and mythological significance for them. Ganga was birthed on this day, according to the scriptures, when Jahnu Maharshi discharged the river from his ear. This day also goes by the names Jahnu Saptami and Ganga Jayanti.
Ganga Saptami Date 2023
April 27, 2023, Thursday
Rituals of Ganga Saptami
- Holy immersion in the river.
- Ganga Puja Vrat (Fasting) Donation.
- It is believed that Ganga will bestow all types of earthly pleasures, tranquilly, and wealth upon her believers.
- Good luck will replace bad luck.
- On this day, puja, worship, prayers, and a holy bath will aid in the healing of bodily diseases.
Importance of Ganga Saptami
In the Padma Purana and Narada Purana, the descent of Goddess Ganga to earth on the seventh day of the Shukla Paksha of the Vaisakh month is described in detail. King Bhagiratha introduced the goddess Ganga to Earth. He did this for the salvation of his ancestors, who Sage Kapila had reduced to ashes.
All sixty thousand of King Bhagiratha’s ancestors obtained moksha. Since that day, Ganga has also been known as Moksha Dayini. This river is known in heaven as Mandakini, on earth as Ganga, and in the Patala as Bhogavati (netherworld of underworld).
According to the Vishnu Purana, Ganga springs from the left thumb nail of Visnu’s left foot. The Earth could not withstand the descent of the great Ganga, therefore she first flowed through Shiva’s matted hair. Here, she branched off into seven rivers – Nalini, Haldini and Pavani in northside. Sita, Chakushas, and Sindhu flowed westward, while the seventh river, Bhagirathi (Ganga), flowed southeast.
She is the sister of Goddess Parvati, as she is the daughter of Himavan. Kartik, son of Shiva, was born on the Ganga River, making her one of Kartikeya’s moms – Murugan or Skanda. As per Puranas, Ganga travels on a crocodile (makara). She holds a Kalashnikov (symbol of water, life and fertility).
In the Rig Vedic Nadi Sutra, Ganga is referenced. Those who worship the Ganga River on Ganga Saptami shall have their sins cleansed. On that day, those who take a holy dip in the river will acquire moksha, or liberation.
