Ganga Jayanthi/Sapthami 2026

Ganga Jayanthi: The Rebirth of the Holy Ganga

Ganga Jayanthi, also called Ganga Saptami, falls on Vaishakha Shukla Saptami. It marks the day sage Jahnu released the river Ganga from his ear after swallowing her, so it is celebrated as Ganga's rebirth. A holy dip, Ganga puja and charity on this day are believed to bring great merit.

The Story of Bhagiratha and Jahnu

The sixty thousand sons of King Sagara were burnt to ashes by the wrath of sage Kapila. Their souls could find peace only if the heavenly Ganga touched their ashes. Bhagiratha, born in Sagara's line, did intense tapas and brought Ganga down to earth; Lord Shiva caught her in His matted locks to soften her force and released her gently. As she followed Bhagiratha, Ganga flooded the ashram of sage Jahnu, who angrily drank up the whole river. On the prayers of Bhagiratha and the devas, he calmed down and released her from his ear on Vaishakha Shukla Saptami. From then she has been called Jahnavi. Ganga's descent to earth itself is celebrated separately as Ganga Dussehra on Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami.

Puja Vidhanam

• Take an early bath in the Godavari, Krishna or a temple pushkarini; at home, add a little Gangajalam to your bath water.
• While bathing, recite the shloka "Gange cha Yamune chaiva Godavari Saraswati".
• Fill a kalasham with Gangajalam or clean water, apply pasupu and kumkuma, and invoke and worship Ganga Devi with flowers.
• Recite the Gangashtakam or a Ganga stotram, light the lamp and offer harathi.
• In the evening, float a lamp on a river or place one beside a vessel of water at home.
• In the Vaishakha heat, give water, buttermilk or panakam to the thirsty.

Significance

The Puranas praise Ganga as the purifier who washes away sins. Bhagiratha's determination brought her to earth, which is why Telugu speakers call any great persistent effort a "Bhagiratha prayatnam". Honouring Ganga today is also a reminder to respect our rivers and keep our water sources clean.

May Mother Ganga keep our minds and lives pure and peaceful.