Ganga Dussehra, the biggest festival dedicated to Ganga Mata, cellbrated with utmost fervor in Varanasi on 21 June 2010. Large number of devotees observed Ganga Snan and offered Ganga Aarti to Ganga River. Pilgrims performed special pujas at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
Times of India reports:
Devotees took holy a dip in the Ganga on various ghats on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra on Monday, though the river was marred with high degrees of pollution in reduced flow of water.
People started thronging the ghats since early morning to take a bath and perform religious rituals. According to Hindu mythology, holy Ganga descended to earth from heaven on this day. It is believed that a dip in the Ganga will cleanse all sins.
Besides, many programmes were also organised by different organisations on the occasion. The Ganga Seva Nidhi organised an awareness campaign at Dashashwamedh Ghat followed by a grand Ganga Aarti and cultural programme.
On the other hand, women associated with Matri Seva Sansthan performed yajna on Asi Ghat to free Ganga from Tehri Dam. The students of Panini Kanya Mahavidyalaya performed yajna amidst chanting of vedic mantra.
Maintaining their spirit, natives of Gahmar village — believed to be Asia’s largest village– in Ghazipur district, also organised a programme under ‘Save Ganga Campaign’ on the banks of the Ganga. Besides performing religious rituals, they also resolved to keep the river clean. A religious discourse was also organised on the occasion. The Save Ganga Campaign was launched from Gahmar last year during the Ganga Dussehra festival in presence of Rajendra Singh.