Ganga Puja, also known as Ganga Dussehra or Ganga Dashahara, is a profound spiritual observance dedicated to the worship of the holy River Ganges. The festival commemorates the incredible mythological event when the sacred river descended from the heavens to the earth to purge the souls of Bhagiratha's ancestors. In Bengal, particularly around the ghats of the Hooghly river, thousands gather to offer their deepest respect, prayers, and floating lamps to the life-giving waters.

History: According to the ancient scriptures, King Bhagiratha deeply sought a way to cleanse the ashes of his ancestors for their salvation. The goddess Ganga agreed to flow down from heaven, but her immense force would have washed away the earth. Lord Shiva stepped in, capturing her torrential flow in his matted locks, allowing her to descend gently. Since that historically revered day, the Ganges has been the spiritual lifeline of the subcontinent, and her descent is celebrated annually with grand fervor.

Significance: The Ganges is not just a river in Indian culture; she is a mother and a goddess. Bathing in her waters on this specific day is believed to cleanse ten specific types of earthly sins (Dussehra means removal of ten sins). The festival promotes spiritual purification and environmental consciousness regarding river cleanliness.