Ganga Saptami Rituals

The Shukla Saptami Tithi in the Vedic month of Vaisakha is celebrated as Ganga Saptami. It is the day that Goddess Ganga was reborn as the river Ganges to purify and liberate us.

In 2022, it falls on May 6th/7th based on where you live. For local timings download the align27 app.

This is a very auspicious day to honor Goddess Ganga – the personification of the Ganges River – as it is believed that bathing in her waters will wash away your impurities, fulfill desires and help you move closer to moksha or spiritual liberation.

As legend has it, Ganga was on her way to purge the cursed souls of a Kingdom called Bhagiratha. On her way, the turbulent flow of her waters destroyed the Ashram of sage Jahnu, who angrily drank up all of Ganga’s water.

In response, Bhagiratha and the deities prayed to sage Jahnu to release Ganga so that she could continue on her important mission. Fortunately, Jahnu listened to these pleas and released her waters from his ear, marking her rebirth.

Jahnu Saptami is yet another name for this day and Goddess Ganga is also addressed as Jahnavi.

If you’re unable to take a dip in the actual Ganges River today, no worries! You can still benefit from Goddess Ganga’s powers of fulfillment and liberation by doing any or all of the rituals below.

Ganga Saptami Rituals

1. Goddess Ganga symbolizes purity and cleansing – When you take a shower just bring into your awareness the purifying power of the Ganges.
2. Chant Aditya Hridayam and visualize yourself on the banks of River Ganga offering Arghya to the Sun God on this auspicious day of Ganga Saptami.
3. Listen to or recite the Ganga Stotram by Adi Shankaracharya.
4. For personalized rituals download the align27 app.
5. Make a donation
6. Honor Lord Shiva by pouring water on Shivling, you can chant the mantra – “om gangadharaya namah”while doing so. If you do not have a Shivling, you can just chant the mantra.

Ganga Saptami Date/Timings

Dates for New York, USA

Dates for Chennai, India