Ganga Saptami 2023: Ganga Saptami is regarded as the day the Ganga River descended to Earth. Ganga Saptami will occur on April 27, 2023. Some scholars refer to it as the birthday or anniversary of Goddess Ganga’s birth. This data is also known as Jahnu Saptami. Several Hindu texts assert that Ganga descended to earth on the seventh day of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) of the Vaisakha month. This is an important holiday for many religious organisations. On this day, special pujas and rituals for the deity Ganga are performed.
The Ganges is revered by Hindus as the deity Ganga. For them, this river has important spiritual and mythological significance. According to the scriptures, Ganga was born on this day when Jahnu Maharshi expelled the river from his ear. This occasion is also known as Jahnu Saptami and Ganga Jayanti.
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Ganga Saptami 2023: Date & Time
Ganga Saptami will be celebrated this year on April 27, 2023. Here are the crucial timings:
Ganga Saptami Madhyahna Muhurat – 11 AM to 01:38 PM
Length – 02 Hours 38 Minutes
Saptami Tithi Begins – April 26, 2023, 11:27 AM
Saptami Tithi Concludes on April 27, 2023, at 1:38 PM
Rituals of Ganga Saptami
- Immersion in a holy river.
- Ganga Puja Vrat (Fasting) Donation.
- Ganga is believed to bestow on her followers all sorts of earthly pleasures, tranquilly, and wealth.
- Good fortune will replace poor fortune.
- On this day, puja, worship, prayers, and a sacred bath will help heal bodily ailments.
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The Significance of Ganga Saptami
The descent of Goddess Ganga to earth on the seventh day of the Shukla Paksha of the Vaisakh month is described in detail in the Padma Purana and Narada Purana. Ganga was introduced to Earth by King Bhagiratha. Sage Kapila had reduced his forebears to embers, so he did this for their salvation.
Each of the sixty thousand progenitors of King Bhagiratha attained moksha. Since then, Ganga has also been referred to as Moksha Dayini. This river is known as Mandakini in heaven, Ganga on earth, and Bhogavati in Patala (the netherworld of the underworld).
According to the Vishnu Purana, Ganga originates from Visnu’s left foot’s left thumbnail. The Earth could not withstand the great Ganga’s descent, so she first flowed through Shiva’s clotted hair. Here, she split into seven rivers, including Nalini, Haldini, and Pavani in the north. Sita, Chakushas, and Sindhu flowed to the west, while Bhagirathi (Ganga) flowed to the southeast.
She is the sister of the goddess Parvati, as she is Himavan’s daughter. Kartik, son of Shiva, was born on the Ganges, rendering her either Murugan or Skanda, one of Kartikeya’s mothers. As per Puranas, Ganga travels on a crocodile (Makara). She carries a Kalashnikov, which represents water, vitality, and fertility.
Ganga is referred to in the Rig Vedic Nadi Sutra. On Ganga Saptami, those who venerate the river will have their sins cleansed. Those who take a sacred dip in the river on that day will attain Moksha or liberation.