Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comMaa Ganga
Maa Ganga is the liberating river-goddess who descended from heaven to earth, whose sacred waters are believed to wash away sins with a single bath. Everything related to her, including aarti, vrat katha, festival, and temple, is gathered here in one place.
Maa Ganga Mahatmya
It is believed that Maa Ganga emerged from Lord Vishnu's feet, which is why she is also called 'Vishnupadi'. King Bhagirath performed intense penance to liberate his ancestors, King Sagar's sixty thousand sons, from a curse, thereby earning the boon of bringing her down from heaven to earth, which is why her descent is remembered even today in the idiom 'Bhagirath effort'.
To bear her immense force upon reaching earth, Lord Shiva received her into his matted locks and released her onto the earth in gentler streams from there. This is why Ganga is also worshipped as a river bound to Shiva's locks, and her evening aarti is performed with great grandeur at ghats such as Haridwar, Varanasi, and Rishikesh.
A single bath in her sacred waters is believed to wash away sins and grant liberation, which is why she is also called 'Mokshadayini' (the liberator). Ganga Dussehra, observed on Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami, marks her day of descent to earth, when devotees bathe in the Ganga and perform acts of charity.
Readings Related to Maa Ganga
आरती
Aartiव्रत कथा
Vrat Kathaपर्व
Festivalsमंदिर
TemplesAbout Maa Ganga
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Maa Ganga called Vishnupadi?
It is believed that she emerged from Lord Vishnu's feet, which is why she is called 'Vishnupadi'.
Who brought Ganga down to earth?
King Bhagirath performed intense penance to liberate his ancestors and earned the boon of bringing her down from heaven to earth.
What is Lord Shiva's connection to Ganga?
To bear Ganga's immense force, Lord Shiva received her into his matted locks and released her onto the earth from there.
When is Ganga Dussehra celebrated?
It is celebrated on the Shukla Dashami tithi of the Jyeshtha month, marking Ganga's day of descent to earth.