The mythological day of the arrival of the river Ganga on the earth – Ganga Dussehra – was celebrated by the lakhs of devotees, by taking a holy dip in the sacred river Ganga at Varanasi on Tuesday. The devotees congregated along the banks of Ganges, since early hours of morning at Varanasi, to offer prayers and seek blessings of the holy river. The devotees also offered prayers at the world famous Kashi Vishwanath temple and other temples of the city.

The devotees also offered prayers and took blessings of the pious river Ganga at Sangam in Allahabad. The devotees took holy dip in the river and prayed for the well being and good health of their families. The women devotees also offered prayers and distributed fruits and food to the priests on the auspicious day.

The Ganges is highly revered holy river in the Hindu religion. The Ganges, despite its pollution, is regarded as a symbol of purity. According to the Hindu mythology, the Ganges is a supernal river that originated in the heavens. The Ganges descended to the earth as a gifted for the great penance undertaken by the legendry Sagara dynasty king Bhagirath; that’s why the river is also called “Bhagirathi”. The day on which the “Bhagirathi” or “Ganges” arrived on the earth is celebrated as Ganga Dussehra.