Ganga Saptami: All You Need To Know About the Festival

The festival of Ganga Saptami is celebrated to commemorate the rebirth of holy Ganges, usually, the devotees celebrate the festival by visiting Ganga ghats and seek the blessings of Maa Ganga. This year Ganga Saptami is being celebrated on 30th April 2020. However, due to the lockdown, the devotees are restricted from going to the ghats for offering prayers. As per the Hindi calendar, Ganga Saptami is celebrated on the seventh day during Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaisakh.

Ganga Saptami Tales

There are many regional and folk tales associated with Ganga Saptami. The most popular one is that King Bhagirath, the ruler of Kosala kingdom sought help from the gods to free him from his past karma. Impressed by his offerings Lord assured that the birth of Goddess Ganga will help him get rid of his past karma. But, then there was this fear that the surge of Goddess Ganga on earth could destroy everything. Thus Lord Bramha suggested that the King should pray to Lord Shiva and ask him to release the river from his hair to control the flow. Pleased with King's prayer Lord Shiva agreed to release Ganga from his hair.

How is Ganga Saptami Celebrated

The festival of Ganga Saptami is celebrated with great enthusiasm and vigor across the nation. People offer prayers and perform Ganga Aarti on the ghats. The Ganga ghats are decorated with flowers and lights to attract devotees and tourists. However due to the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown this year the festival will not be celebrated in the usual manner. Still, people can offer prayers and perform the rituals from wherever they are.