Devotees celebrate GangaDussehra with a sacred dip in Kashi
To celebrate the Ganga Dussehra, also known as Ganga Avataran Day (Ganga's descent on the earth), the devotees started arriving at the Ganga ghats late on Wednesday night.
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Most of them were seen taking a holy dip early on Thursday morning.
A magnificent aarti of Maa Ganga was organised under the auspices of the Gangotri Seva Samiti at the ancient Dashashwamedh Ghat. The glow of countless lamps at Dashashwamedh Ghat captivated the people. Secretary of the Gangotri Seva Samiti Dinesh Shankar Dubey said that the samiti organises a grand Ganga aarti every year on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra.
Not only residents of Kashi but also scores of people from around the world gather to witness this unforgettable event at the ancient Dashashwamedh Ghat.
Under the guidance of the committee's founding president Pandit Kishori Raman Dubey Babu Maharaj, the idol of Maa Ganga, made of astadhatu (eight metals), was adorned with flowers.
A ritual worship was performed with 51 litres of milk, fruits, flowers and sweets. Symbolically, a yellow sari was offered to the Ganga. Eleven Vedic priests performed the aarti of Mother Ganga. Young girls, representing 21 forms of prosperity and success, symbolised maternal power. The sound of damaru and chants in praise of Maa Ganga echoed throughout. A series of religious and cultural activities were organised by various organisations to celebrate the occasion.
The ghats remained crowded till evening. The district administration and police ensured elaborate security arrangements on the occasion. Traffic diversions were also enforced on many routes leading to the ghats.
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