गंगा सप्तमी

৪ মে’, ২০২৬

Ganga Saptami 2026 falls on May 4 (Vaishakh Shukla Saptami). This is one of three great Ganga festivals (alongside Ganga Dussehra and Ganga Jayanti). Legend: Goddess Ganga originally flowed only in heaven (Svarga). When the 60,000 sons of King Sagara were burned to ash by the sage Kapila's wrath, their descendant Bhagirath performed intense tapasya for thousands of years to bring Ganga to earth. On Vaishakh Saptami, Ganga finally descended — held first in Lord Shiva's matted locks to soften the impact, then released in seven streams. The Ganga's touch liberated the ashes of Sagara's sons. Rituals: Bathe in the Ganga (or any river, or sprinkle Ganga jal at home) at brahma muhurat (before sunrise). Offer flowers, akshata, and incense to the river while chanting the Ganga Stuti. Light a diya and float it on the river. Donate food, clothes, or sesame seeds to Brahmins. Special merit: Those who bathe in the Ganga on Saptami receive 100 times the merit of ordinary bathing. Those unable to reach the river may chant the Ganga Ashtakam or Ganga Sahasranam and perform Ganga jal abhishek at home.