Karmandir करमंदिरहिंदीGet the app

Ganga Saptami

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
ShareTelegramXFacebook
Ganga Saptami

Why it is celebrated

Ganga Saptami, also called Ganga Jayanti, falls on Vaishakh Shukla Saptami. It is believed that on this day Rishi Jahnu set Maa Ganga free to flow on the earth again, so the day is seen as her second birth. People bathe in the Ganga, worship her and give daan.

The story

After King Bhagirath's long tapasya, Maa Ganga came down from heaven to the earth. Shiv ji held her mighty force in his matted hair and then let her go gently. Bhagirath walked ahead and Ganga ji flowed behind him, so that his ancestors could find peace.

On the way they came to the ashram of Rishi Jahnu, who was in the middle of a yagya. Ganga ji's strong current rushed into the ashram and swept away everything kept for the yagya. Upset, Rishi Jahnu drank up all of her water.

Bhagirath was deeply worried, because all his effort now seemed to be in vain. Together with the devtas, he prayed humbly to the rishi. The rishi's heart softened, and he let Ganga ji flow out through his ear. That day was Vaishakh Shukla Saptami.

Ganga ji came forth again as if she were Rishi Jahnu's daughter, which is why one of her names is 'Jahnavi'. Then she flowed on behind Bhagirath towards the sea.

Puja vidhi

  1. Bathe in the Ganga in the morning; if that is not possible, add a little Ganga jal to your bath water.
  2. Offer water to Surya dev and take a sankalp for the puja, thinking of Maa Ganga.
  3. Light a lamp before a picture of Maa Ganga or a kalash of Ganga jal, and offer flowers, roli and rice.
  4. Chant 'Om Gangayai Namah' and sing Maa Ganga's aarti.
  5. In the evening, offer a lamp on the riverbank or at home.
  6. Give sesame, fruit, grain or water as daan, and promise to help keep our rivers clean.

Food

Simple sattvic food; many offer sattu, jaggery and seasonal fruit as bhog and daan.

Wishes to send

  • Warm wishes on Ganga Saptami! May Maa Ganga's pure water make your heart pure as well.

  • Har Har Gange! On Ganga Jayanti, may Maa Ganga's blessings stay with your family.

  • Just as the Ganga flows on without stopping, may love and peace keep flowing in your life. Happy Ganga Saptami!

  • Patience like Bhagirath's and compassion like Maa Ganga's: that is the lesson of this day. Best wishes on Ganga Saptami.

  • Pranam to Maa Jahnavi. May your home always be filled with purity, happiness and peace.

  • This Ganga Saptami, let us promise to keep Maa Ganga clean and pure. Jai Maa Gange!

For your status

Festivals