🌊 Ganga Saptami Pooja – Worship of Goddess Ganga

📅 When is Ganga Saptami Celebrated?

Ganga Saptami falls on the seventh day (Saptami) of Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishakha (April–May). It marks the reappearance of River Ganga from the earthen vessel of Sage Jahnu, after she was absorbed and released by him — hence it’s also called Jahnu Saptami.

This sacred day is a symbol of purification, devotion, and divine descent, and is observed with reverence on the banks of the Ganga, especially in Haridwar, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Gangotri.

🌟 Spiritual Significance:

• Ganga Mata is revered as a goddess of purity, moksha (liberation), and compassion.
• Her descent to Earth was to purify the souls of King Bhagirath’s ancestors and uplift all beings.
• Bathing in the Ganges on this day is believed to wash away sins and karmic burdens.

🏠 Pooja Preparations:

If you’re performing the pooja at home:

🌸 Clean and Prepare:

• Clean the home and altar area.
• Set up a clean place for the image or idol of Goddess Ganga, often depicted riding a crocodile and holding a lotus, water pot, and kalasha.
• Decorate with white and yellow flowers.

📿 Pooja Samagri (Items Needed):

• Image or idol of Ganga Mata
• Kalasha filled with holy water (preferably Ganga jal)
• Turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood paste
• White cloth, sacred thread (mauli), rice, betel leaves
• White flowers (jasmine or lotus)
• Fruits, sweets, coconut
• Diya, incense sticks, camphor
• Ganga Stotra or Ganga Ashtakam

🙏 Ganga Saptami Pooja Vidhi (Step-by-Step):

🌅 1. Early Morning Ritual:

• Wake up before sunrise and take a bath — if possible, in the Ganga or any clean water mixed with Ganga jal.
• Observe cleanliness and silence, and wear white or yellow traditional clothes.
• Place the kalasha filled with Ganga jal on the altar and keep the image of Ganga Mata above it.

🕉️ 2. Sankalp (Resolution):

Take water in your palm and make a vow:

“On this sacred day of Ganga Saptami, I worship Mother Ganga to purify my soul, body, and mind. May she bless me with spiritual upliftment, health, and peace.”

🪔 3. Invocation and Worship:

• Light a diya and incense sticks.
• Offer haldi-kumkum, chandan, akshata, and white flowers to the idol.
• Offer naivedyam – milk, sweets, coconut, or banana.

📖 4. Chanting and Mantras:

Recite these sacred verses:

Ganga Gayatri Mantra:

“Om Bhagirathaya Vidmahe
Ganga Devyai Dhimahi
Tanno Jahnavi Prachodayat”

Ganga Stotram (Opening Verse):

“Devi Sureshwari Bhagavati Gange
Tribhuvana Tarini Tarala Tarange |
Shankara Mauli Vihariṇi Vimale
Mama Matirastam Tava Pada Kamale ||”

Reciting Ganga Ashtakam, Ganga Aarti, or Ganga Sahasranam is also highly meritorious.

🔥 5. Aarti and Prayers:

• Perform aarti with camphor while singing:

“Om Jai Gange Mata…”

• Wave the lighted lamp clockwise in front of the idol or Ganga jal.

🌊 6. Tarpana and Offering to Ancestors:

• Offer tarpan (libations of water) to ancestors by facing south, praying for their peace.
• It is believed that ancestral blessings multiply on this day.

🌼 7. Conclude and Distribute Prasadam:

• Distribute the offered sweets and fruits as prasadam.
• Sprinkle Ganga water in all corners of the house to purify the space.

🧘 Symbolic Meaning of Rituals:

🌟 Blessings of Ganga Saptami:

• Liberation from sins and inner purification
• Ancestors attain peace and liberation
• Protection from diseases and negative energies
• Spiritual wisdom and mental clarity
• Environmental harmony and reverence for water

🌊 Divine Message of Ganga Mata:

“Flow like the Ganga – pure, selfless, and ever-giving. Let your heart be a vessel of peace and your actions a stream of compassion. May Ganga Devi’s grace uplift your soul and cleanse your karma.”