Ganga Dussehra
By Dr Arvind Kumar
Ganga Dussehra is celebrated on Dashmi Tithi of Shukla Paksha Jeyshta Masa. This day, sacred river Ganga had descended on earth from heaven. This year it is being observed on 31st May 2012. When Ganga Dussehra falls in Hast Nakshatra, it is believed to remove worst kinds of sins. Ganga descended on earth in Hast Nakshatra, hence, this day is more significant in comparison to other days. Ganga Dussehra is a festival of faith and devotion. As per the scriptures, bath and donations have great significance on this day. If due to some reason a person is not able to have bath in Ganga, he should perform Ardhaya nearby river and do the Tilodak and Tarpan. All sins of life are removed by performing bath, donations and Tarpan, on this day, therefore, this festival is called Dussehra.Out of all the rivers, Ganga is considered the most sacred and remover of sins (Papamochini). Having a dip in Ganga, gives salvation to a person. After performing rigid meditation for many year, Rishi Bhagirath convinced Ganga to come on the earth. This day, people from distant places come to have a dip in Ganga. Keeping in view the faith, trust and sensitivities of the multitudes of the Indian people in River Ganga, it is the bounden duty of government as well as the people to maintain the sanctity of this river by keeping it free from pollution. All polluting industries built on the banks of Ganga should be closed and no new such units should be allowed. Millions of rupees have been spent in the name of keeping Ganga clean without any tangible result.
