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Goddess Ganga, Lord Shiva
Ganga Dussehra commemorates the descent of the sacred river Ganga from heaven to earth. King Bhagiratha performed intense tapas for thousands of years to bring Ganga down to liberate the souls of his sixty thousand ancestors (the sons of King Sagara) who had been reduced to ashes by Sage Kapila's gaze. Lord Shiva caught the mighty torrent of Ganga in his matted locks (Jata) to prevent the earth from being shattered by her force.
Ganga Dussehra destroys ten types of sins (Dasha-hara). Bathing in the Ganga on this day is considered equivalent to bathing at all sacred tirthas. The festival celebrates the purifying power of the Ganga, whose waters are believed to bestow moksha and cleanse even the most grievous karmic debts.
Bathe in the Ganga or any sacred river. Offer ten items (Dashahara means destroyer of ten sins): flowers, incense, lamps, sacred food, and more. Perform Ganga Aarti, especially at Haridwar, Varanasi, and Prayagraj. Donate food, clothes, and sesame seeds. Light floating diyas on the river.