Large number of pilgrims take holy dip on Ganga Dusshera

Varanasi/ Ahmedabad, June 21 (ANI): A large number of Hindus took a holy dip in the sacred Ganges River at different places on the occasion of Ganga Dusshehra on Monday.

During the festival, devotees worshipped the holy river and sought blessings from the Ganga.

In Allahabad, at Sangam or, the point of confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna rivers, hundreds of devotees took a dip on the auspicious day. It is believed that the waters bestow salvation to the dying and give a new life to the living.

"Today is Ganga Dusshehra. On this day, Ganga descended on earth from heaven. Today, we all are taking holy dip in River Ganga so that we can get rid of our sins," said Gopal Tyagi, a priest.

Legend holds that the Ganges was gifted to mankind in answer to the great penance undertaken by King Bhagirath because of which the river is also called Bhagirathi.

The largest river in India, the Ganges rises in Gangotri, high in the snow-clad Himalayas. (ANI)