Goddess Ganga agreed to descend, but her colossal celestial torrent threatened to shatter the earth. To avert this global catastrophe, Lord Shiva stepped in and caught her mighty waters in his matted locks (Jata), taming her force before releasing her gently in seven separate streams. The river then followed Bhagiratha’s chariot to the Gangasagar delta in Bengal, where she finally touched the ashes of his ancestors and granted them moksha (salvation).

In Bengali literature and historical records, the worship of Maa Ganga has been prominent since the medieval era. The river delta has always been the cradle of Bengal's culture, trade, and agriculture. Masterpieces of medieval Bengali literature, such as the Mangalkavya, devote entire sections to glorifying 'Ganga Mangal', showcasing how tightly woven the river's purity is with the socioeconomic and spiritual identity of the Bengali people.

Beyond its religious aspects, Ganga Puja serves as a beautiful celebration of nature and environmental stewardship. Bengalis have historically revered the river as the ultimate life-giving mother, providing fertile silt that sustains the state’s rich paddy fields and orchards. It is also a time of deep social integration and sharing. In Bengali households, the month of Jyeshtha is celebrated with 'Jamai Shashthi' and mango festivals, and Ganga Puja acts as a grand precursor, where relatives visit, exchange seasonal summer fruits like sweet Himsagar mangoes and litchis, and participate in community feasts along the river ghats, reinforcing familial bonds and communal peace.